Tunisia court overturns result
The Court of Arbitration for Sport in Tunisia has upheld an appeal by title-chasing Etoile Sahel for a recent 1-0 defeat to Club Africain to be overturned.
But the decision of the Tunis-based organisation - the country's supreme legal sports authority - has provoked a firestorm of criticism from Etoile's rivals.
Etoile took the matter to the arbitration court after their initial protest that Club Africain had used an ineligible player was thrown out by the Tunisian football federation's legal committee.
We don't acknowledge this court and we totally reject its verdict
Salah Eldin El Zahaf
Sfaxien president
But Club Africain officials have refused to accept the ruling and want the issue referred to Fifa.
"The decision made by this court is invalid," fumed Imad Trabelsi, Club Africain's vice-president, adding that Fifa must have the final say in the matter.
Officials of Sfaxien club - Etoile's main rivals for the league title - told BBC Sport that they are also appalled by the arbitration court's decision.
"This is a scandal. We don't acknowledge this court and we totally reject its verdict," said an angry Sfaxien president, Salah Eldin El Zahaf.
Before the decision, Sfaxien were tied at the top of the league standings with Etoile on 55 points, but held the advantage because of a superior goal difference.
All Sfaxien needed was a victory in their last game against relegated Olympique de Beja to secure the league title and a ticket to next year's African Champions League.
But the arbitration court's decision has revived Etoile's hopes of winning their first league title since 1997.
Not surprisingly, Etoile president Othman Jenayeh was delighted with the arbitration court's decision.
He said: "I was sure the court would decide in our favour, even after the legal committee and the federation turned us down.
"We have rights and we were defending those rights."
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