Sierra Leone wants to appeal the cancellation of their match against Benin in the CAN 2021 qualifiers. The Sierra Leonean Football Federation (SLFA) bases its approach on the rules of the competition.

The case seems far from over. Sierra Leone wants to open a new front in the battle for CAN 2021 qualification  against Benin  . The Sierra Leonean Football Federation (SLFA) intends, in fact, to challenge the decision of the African Football Confederation to cancel the decisive shock initially planned last Tuesday in Freetown.

The rescheduling of the match in question

The meeting could not be held because of an imbroglio on the PCR tests of the Beninese players. Five of them have, in fact, been declared positive for Covid-19 a few hours before the kick-off of this match of the 6th and last day of the qualifiers. This is disputed by the Beninese who have therefore refused to play. And to save the day, CAF therefore decides to reschedule the duel in June 2021. And this is precisely where the shoe pinches, according to Sierra Leone.

Because the regulations stipulate that the Covid-19 cannot be a reason for canceling a match. Unless one of the teams comes with less than fifteen players including a goalkeeper (11 holders and 4 substitutes). “   We cannot postpone a match because of Covid-19. If a team refuses to play for this reason, they will lose the game 0-2.  “,  Explained in November Alexandre Siewe, communication director of CAF, in  Le Monde  . Unless the rule changes in the meantime.

An appeal based on  the CAN  rules

But the SLFA intends to rely on articles 83, 84 and 85 of the CAN regulations. Article 83 indicates, for example, that “a team which does not appear on the field in playing attract at the time fixed for kick-off, or at most fifteen (15) minutes later, will be declared forfeit.  The referee is required to record the absence of the team and note it on his report.  The case will be submitted to the Organizing Committee which will take a final decision. ”  A nice welcome gift for Patrice Motsepe.