BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-Malawian High Court judge Masauko Msungama who sits on the five-member Appeals Board, has declined to comment on the controversial decision by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Appeals Board to overturn the result of the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations final.
“It would, at the moment, not be appropriate for me to comment on the same,” Msungama said.
The ruling has caused widespread debate across Africa after Senegal were stripped of their victory over Morocco, with CAF awarding the match to Morocco on a 3-0 forfeiture.
The decision followed an incident where Senegal players walked off the pitch in protest after a late penalty was awarded to Morocco, despite the match later resuming and Senegal going on to win 1-0 after extra time.
The Appeals Board is chaired by Roli Harriman, with Faustino Monteiro as deputy. Other members include Msungama, Moez Nasri and Espoir Komlan.
CAF president Patrice Motsepe defended the ruling, stressing the importance of discipline and integrity in football.
“It is important that the decisions of our CAF disciplinary and appeals bodies are respected. No country will be treated more favourably than another,” Motsepe said.
The Senegalese Football Federation has rejected the decision and confirmed plans to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
FSF secretary general Abdoulaye Seydou Sow described the ruling as unjust.
“This is an unfair, unprecedented and unacceptable decision which discredits African football. We will defend our rights to the very end,” he said.