AFCON Qualifiers – São Tomé and Principé are back in ‘Group A’ after winning appeal against CAF Disciplinary Board

Freetown | 1st June 2022 | Vertex Media

The CAF Appeals Board has overturned the decisions/rulings of the CAF Disciplinary Board to allow São Tomé and Principé proceed with the 2023 AFCON Qualifiers in Group A.

São Tomé and Principé won their preliminary qualifier against Mauritius, but Mauritius protested against São Tomé and Principé for allegedly using an ineligible player, who was without a PCR test. The CAF Disciplinary Board ruled in favour of Mauritius, but on appeal, the CAF Appeals Board overturned the decisions or rulings to allow São Tomé and Principé join Group A opponents (Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Guinea Bissau) in this month’s Qualifiers.

Here is the release from CAF: 👇

“São Tomé and Príncipe Football Association took the decision of the CAF Disciplinary Board (08 May 2022) to overturn the results of their match against Mauritius in the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations preliminary qualifiers played on 24 March 2022 on review with the CAF Appeals Board.”

“After hearing both parties’ presentations, the CAF Appeals Board ruled that:”

“- The Appeal of São Tomé and Príncipe Football Association is considered admissible in form.

“- The Appeal of the São Tomé and Príncipe Football Association is upheld and the decision of the CAF Disciplinary Board is set aside in its entirety.

“- The result of match between Mauritius and São Tomé and Príncipe is ratified and validated.

“- The São Tomé and Príncipe Football Association shall be reimbursed the Appeal fees.”

CAF Communication Department