Senegal and Morocco set for AFCON title rematch – in Swiss sports court

Senegal and Morocco played a chaotic Africa Cup of Nations final in January and they contest the title again Thursday – this time at the Court of Arbitration for Sport. A turbulent match, provoking violent clashes between Senegal fans and Moroccan police, and a hugely controversial fallout will be re-litigated at sport’s highest court in Switzerland nearly nine months after the referee’s final whistle blew in Rabat. The authority of that referee, Jean-Jacques Ndala of Congo, could be decisive in Senegal’s appeal to regain the trophy that was stripped from players who earned it on the field of play with a 1-0 win over Morocco after extra time. Read moreSenegal coach receives five-match ban for ‘unsporting conduct’ at AFCON final The result was overturned in March to a 3-0 win for Morocco by a Confederation of African Football (CAF) appeals panel because Senegal’s team walked off to protest a penalty being awarded, causing a 15-minute delay in play. A one-day appeal hearing was scheduled with three judges behind closed doors Thursday at CAS headquarters in Lausanne. No target date has been set by the court for a verdict that should finally crown the champion of African men’s soccer. ...