A former Vice President of the Confederation of African Football, Kwesi Nyantakyi, has criticised CAF’s decision to strip Senegal of their title, describing it as a “misapplication” of the governing rules.

Speaking on the Asaase Radio on Thursday (19 March), Nyantakyi said the decision was based on a “misconception, misinterpretation and misapplication” of CAF Regulations, particularly Articles 82 and 84.

According to him, those provisions apply strictly to matches that end abruptly due to the actions of a team. However, in the Senegal case, he argued that the match ran its full course and was concluded by the referee in accordance with the laws of the game.

The match did not end abruptly. It travelled its full length,” he explained, noting that although there was a temporary walkout by Senegalese players in protest of a penalty decision, they eventually returned to the pitch and allowed the match to continue.

Nyantakyi emphasised that under football rules, the referee’s decision on factual matters during a match is final and cannot be overturned by disciplinary or appellate bodies once the match has officially ended.

He therefore questioned the basis on which CAF’s Appeals Board overturned the referee’s report, warning that such actions undermine the established legal framework of the sport.

This decision is a very dangerous precedent,” he said, adding that it could distort how disputes are resolved in African football going forward.