Sudanese giants Al-Hilal SC have been notified by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) of the date for a hearing concerning their appeal against the participation of Hamza Moussaoui in the quarter-final matches of the CAF Champions League with Moroccan side Renaissance Berkane.
The official communication, received on Sunday, 5 April, marks the first response from CAF after a series of messages sent by Al-Hilal between 23 March and 3 April that went unanswered. The confederation has now scheduled the hearing for 9 April, allowing Al-Hilal to present its case regarding what it claims was an illegal participation by Moussaoui in both the first and second leg of the quarter-finals.
Al-Hilal presses for urgent resolution
Al-Hilal had previously demanded that CAF issue a decision before 6 April, ensuring clarity ahead of Renaissance Berkane’s semi-final clash against fellow Moroccan side Royal Army FC on 11 April. The club warned that, failing a satisfactory response, it would escalate the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) while reserving all other legal measures to protect its interests.
“The club sent an official letter to CAF demanding an official decision be issued before April 6,” the management confirmed, adding that it called for the potential suspension of the semi-final match until a final ruling is reached.
Dispute over CAF official overseeing case
Al-Hilal has also rejected the appointment of a specific CAF official to oversee the case, citing a conflict of interest. The official in question previously signed the decision to lift the temporary suspension of Moussaoui, a move Al-Hilal claims lacked legal grounds and was made without consulting the Sudanese club.
The club’s management stressed that any person with a potential conflict of interest must be removed from the case to ensure impartiality, highlighting the seriousness with which it intends to pursue justice.
Quarter-final results sparked the appeal
The appeal follows Al-Hilal’s elimination from the CAF Champions League quarter-finals, where the team drew 1-1 in the first leg and lost 0-1 in the second leg to Renaissance Berkane. The outcome of the upcoming hearing could have significant implications for both clubs as the tournament progresses.
CAF’s decision to schedule the hearing represents a response to Al-Hilal’s persistent pursuit of clarity on the eligibility matter, setting the stage for a potentially pivotal ruling in African club football.
