The FTF accused CAF of cheating following Tunisia's controversial quarter-final defeat to Equatorial Guinea at last month's tournament, which led to the continental body setting a deadline of March 31 for them to apologise or face exclusion from the next edition of the tournament in two years time.

Tunisia were leading 1-0 against the host nation in the final minute of normal time when Mauritian referee Rajindraparsad Seechurn adjudged Ali Maaloul to have fouled Ivan Bolado in the penalty area.

Equatorial Guinea converted from the spot to equalise before going on to win the tie 2-1 after extra time.

Tunisia players and staff confronted the official after the match, for which the FTF was fined $50,000 (£32,400/€44,000).

CAF reportedly received two letters from the FTF in the aftermath, with the second asking for an investigation and suggesting that CAF and its officials "were questionable and biased against Tunisia in general".

Tunisia were not happy with referee Rajindraparsad Seechurn's decision to award Equatorial Guinea a penalty during their Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final defeat ©Getty Images



FTF President Wadie Jary resigned from his position on the African Cup of Nations Organising Committee, a position he had held since 2013, in protest at the decision of Rajindraparsad, who has been banned for six months for "poor performance".

Jary has also been banned from all CAF activities,with the FTF refusing to apologise for the allegations made against CAF.

The FTF's statement of appeal to CAS is accompanied by a request for a stay on the deadline set by CAF.  
 
"An arbitration procedure has been initiated and is being conducted in accordance with the Code of Sports-related Arbitration," read a CAS statement.

"The CAS will not give any further information at this time."

Earlier this week, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) appealed to CAS against the sanctions imposed by CAF after the country refused to host the AFCON due to fears over Ebola.

CAF fined the Moroccans $1 million (£660,000/€870,000) and banned them from competing at the 2017 and 2019 tournaments.

FRMF have called for all of their punishments to be annulled and have asked for a final decision to be made by the CAS the end of next month.

Equatorial Guinea stepped in as last minute hosts of this year's AFCON and as a result, CAF are also looking to recover $9 million (£6 million/€8 million) in damages. 

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