Reigning champions of Africa Esperance de Tunis are reported to be challenging CAF’s decision to order replay of the last weekend’s Champions League (CL) final.
Esperance were crowned back-to-back winners of the CL after opponents Wydad Casablanca matched out of the field in the 60th minute.
The Moroccan champions walked off the pitch in severe protest over Gambian referee Papa Bakary Gassama’s decision to disallow what they believe was a legitimate equalizing goal.
ES got off to a flying start scoring the opening goal before visitors Wydad appeared to equalise but arbiter Gassama sensed foul-play in the lead up to the goal and thus ruled it out.
Papa came on the receiving end of derides for refusing to refer to the VAR for clarity.
It turned out the VAR wasn’t functioning after it arrived late, if Hawk-Eye (the company CAF contracted to facilitate the machine’s use) version of events are anything to go by.
The Tunisian multiple time league winners ended up being feted kings of Africa on the heels of Wydad’s refusal to continue the game.
In the wake of this, CAF today opted to issue a verdict stating the second leg final will be replayed and the score -1-0 – will be maintained – a thing Esperance is furious about and are reportedly appealing the move to the Court of Arbitration for Sports, reports in Tunis say.
The Tunisian outfit are arguing responsibility of stopping the game was entirely the referee’s.
