The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has rejected Hafia FC’s appeal against AS Douanes, confirming the Mauritanian club’s qualification in the CAF Confederation Cup.

The decision comes as football awaits a separate CAS ruling on the disputed Africa Cup of Nations final between Morocco and Senegal. That verdict, expected at the end of November, will determine whether Morocco retain the title awarded by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) or Senegal are reinstated as champions after winning the final on the pitch.

The dispute involving Hafia FC began during the second leg of the first preliminary round of the CAF Confederation Cup. The two sides had drawn 2-2 in Nouakchott and were due to meet in Conakry on 11 September.

AS Douanes did not appear in Guinea, although the match officials were present and the technical meeting had taken place. Hafia subsequently requested a walkover victory.

Instead, the CAF interclub competitions organising committee accepted AS Douanes’ explanation that force majeure had prevented the team from travelling and ordered the match to be replayed. The fixture eventually took place on 19 September, with AS Douanes winning 1-0 to progress 3-2 on aggregate.

Hafia FC referred the matter to CAS on 8 October, arguing that it had been unfairly treated. CAS initially ordered the next round to be postponed without reaching a final decision on the case.

A statement from AS Douanes said the appeal had now been dismissed and the club’s qualification confirmed.

The ruling affects CR Belouizdad, who are due to face AS Douanes in the second and final preliminary round. The Algerian club had already travelled to Nouakchott in October, but were told on the eve of the match that the two-leg tie had been suspended.

The players and staff returned to Algiers without playing. They will now have to arrange another trip to Mauritania as they attempt to reach the group stage.

CAF has yet to announce new dates for the two matches. The delay has disrupted CR Belouizdad’s preparations, with the club now facing a preliminary round several weeks later than originally scheduled.

Meanwhile, the Senegalese Football Federation’s appeal against the outcome of the Africa Cup of Nations final was registered on 25 March. The hearing took place behind closed doors on 8 October.

Senegal are challenging a CAF appeals jury decision that changed their 1-0 victory after extra time into a 3-0 forfeit win for Morocco. The case centres on the temporary departure of Senegal’s players from the pitch after they protested against a penalty awarded to Morocco.

CAS is expected to issue its ruling at the end of November, bringing an end to the dispute stemming from the final played in Rabat on 18 January and confirming the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations champions.