Patrice Motsepe, President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), defended the independence of the football body’s committees in his first reaction following the decision to strip the Senegalese national team of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title and award it to Morocco.
In a statement on Wednesday, Motsepe expressed deep disappointment regarding the events that took place during the Africa Cup of Nations final in Morocco, noting that these incidents undermine the extensive work CAF has undertaken over the years to ensure integrity and professionalism.
The CAF President stated that the organization is following a new approach in selecting members of judicial committees, including the Disciplinary and Appeals Committees. He noted that the 54 member associations were asked to nominate judges and lawyers recognized for their competence and integrity to guarantee the independence of rulings.
Motsepe pointed out that doubts surrounding the integrity of refereeing and match commissioners are an “old legacy” that CAF is continuously working to address to bolster credibility. He emphasized that the fact that the Disciplinary Committee can reach a specific decision while the Appeals Committee reaches a completely different one serves as evidence of the independence of these bodies and their freedom from outside dictates.
The CAF official further explained that Senegal, or any of the 54 member nations under the organization, has the right to resort to the highest legal levels, including the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), stressing that CAF will respect any decision issued by higher authorities.
Motsepe concluded by emphasizing that no African country will receive preferential treatment or more advantages than others, asserting that justice and equality are the foundation. He announced that CAF has already begun taking significant steps to address the gaps and shortcomings observed during the final in Morocco to ensure they are not repeated and to elevate the standards of organization and officiating.
