January 18 – In a snub to FIFA, the Court of Arbitration for Sport has overturned a decision to suspend Pape Gueye from the African Cup of Nations with the Marseille midfielder now free to play for Senegal.
CAS has not yet ruled on FIFA barring the 22-year-old from all official competitions for four months and imposing a one-year transfer ban on Marseille but he “is no longer suspended for the moment”, a CAS spokesman told AFP.
After starting his career at Le Havre, Gueye (pictured) was due to become a free agent in the summer of 2020. But having agreed a pre-contract arrangement with English Premier League side Watford he pulled the plug on the deal and joined Marseille.
FIFA decided to ban the player whilst they investigated the whole scenario regarding his transfer but CAS has now over-ruled that.
Gueye played for France at under-18 and under-19 level before opting to represent Senegal, where his parents are from, last October.
He came off the bench in Senegal’s opening group victory over Zimbabwe but missed the goalless draw with Guinea because of the suspension.
Marseille, who were also fined just over €2 million ($2.28 million), have said they intend to appeal.
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