The ongoing controversy surrounding the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title has taken a new twist, as a leading voice within the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has cast doubt on the likelihood of the Appeal Board’s decision being upheld.
Raymond Hack, a respected CAS arbitrator, has weighed in on the matter, pointing to past rulings that could significantly influence the outcome of the dispute. According to him, established legal precedent suggests that the authority of match officials remains paramount in determining the final outcome of games.
“In my opinion, I don’t think the Court of Arbitration will uphold the decision of the Appeal Board because there’s precedent to it,” Hack stated. “In 2019, Wydad were in a similar situation in a CAF club championship, where CAS ruled that the referee’s decision is final. Only a referee can end a game. No matter what happens, only the referee can end it.”
Hack’s reference is to the infamous 2019 CAF Champions League final involving Moroccan giants Wydad Athletic Club, a match that descended into chaos after a VAR controversy led to a prolonged stoppage and eventual abandonment. The case was later taken to CAS, which ultimately reinforced the principle that on-field decisions made by referees carry decisive authority.
The current AFCON 2025 dispute has drawn parallels with that incident, raising questions about whether administrative bodies can override decisions made during active play. At the heart of the matter is whether procedural irregularities or external interventions can justify altering the outcome of a match that was, in principle, governed by the referee’s authority.
Hack’s comments are likely to intensify debate among football stakeholders, as teams, officials, and fans await a final ruling that could set another major precedent in African football governance.
Should CAS follow its previous stance, it would reaffirm the long-standing doctrine that the referee’s whistle remains the ultimate arbiter of the game—potentially nullifying attempts to revisit or revise results through post-match decisions.
With the stakes high and the integrity of the competition on the line, all eyes now turn to CAS as it prepares to deliver what could be a landmark decision in the history of the Africa Cup of Nations.
