The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has dismissed appeals from the Comoros Football Federation (FFC) over Cameroon’s involvement in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations.

Comoros lodged the complaint after the Indomitable Lions were retained in the continental showpiece even though they’d been stripped of the hosting rights by Caf.

In their first appeal on January 28, they claimed the continent’s governing body hadn’t enforced the law regarding the Central African nation’s failure to exercise their hosting rights.

On February 11, the FFC appealed to CAS against Caf’s decision to allow the Cameroonian side to participate at the Nations Cup and award them the hosting rights for 2021.

However, after the hearing with the involved parties on May 29, a CAS panel have concluded that the appeals are inadmissible.

The panel also established that the FFC had no sporting interest in pursuing the matter, given Comoros had no mathematical chance of qualifying for the biennial showpiece even if Cameroon were thrown out.

Furthermore, the Comoros federation’s request to have the Cameroonian Football Federation (FECAFOOT) suspended was dismissed as there was insufficient legal interest in pursuing the case.

Further reasons for CAS’ decision will be revealed in due course.

Clarence Seedorf’s side were initially meant to feature in the competition as hosts, but had to navigate the qualifying rounds after Egypt were made the hosts in January.

They finished second in Group B behind Morocco, while third-placed Malawi and fourth-placed Comoros missed out on qualification for the continental showpiece. 

The defending champions begin their title defence in Group F against Guinea-Bissau at Ismailia Stadium on June 25, before facing off with four-time champions Ghana on June 29, with their final group encounter coming against Benin on July 2.

Collins Okinyo

Ex- CAF Media Expert. An expert on African football with over 15 years experience ,always with an ear to the ground with indepth knowledge of the game. I have worked for top publications including 7 years at www.supersport.com until i founded www.soka25east.com to quench the thirst of football lovers across the continent. I have trained young upcoming journalists who are now a voice in African football.I have covered World Cup,AFCON,CHAN,Champions League,Confederations Cup,Cecafa,Cosafa,Wafu and many other football tournaments across the World. Founder Football Africa Arena(FAA),Founder www.afrisportdigital.com