CAS confirms the decision of CAF to postpone Sierra Leone Vs Benin Match

Sports

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled on Thursday 10th June 2021 on the appeal filed by the Benin Football Federation (FBF) following the decision to postpone the match Sierra Leone – Benin in the context of the qualifiers for the African Cup of Nations CAN Total Cameroon 2021.

On March 30, 2021, Sierra Leone was due to host Benin for this qualifying match. When they left Benin, the Beninese players underwent Covid-19 tests, which were all negative. Upon arriving at Freetown / Sierra Leone airport, no Covid-19 test was organized, contrary to what was provided for by the CAF health protocol. It wasn’t until they got to their hotel that the Beninese players got tested. Five players tested positive and learned the results when they arrived at the stadium, less than 2 hours before the start of the match.

Finally, CAF ordered the postponement of the match. The SLFA appealed the decision – asking that the match be forfeited by Benin – and the appeal was dismissed by the CAF Jury of Appeal.

At the same time, the FBF lodged a complaint with the CAF, as well as several disciplinary and financial requests against the SLFA. CAF joined the FBF’s complaints to the proceedings involving the SLFA, but the CAF Appeal Jury did not address them in its decision. The FBF then seized the CAS with the same complaints and requests, including a request for the exclusion of the SLFA from CAN Total Cameroon 2021 and / or a 3-0 forfeit defeat of Sierra Leone with regard to the match returned.

The CAS partially upheld the FBF’s appeal:

The CAS award is issued without the reasons, which will be published later.

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