HIBAPRESS – Sports
Patrice Motsepe, President of the Confederation of African Football, commented on the Appeals Committee's decision to withdraw the 2025 African Cup of Nations title from the Senegal national team and award it to Morocco, confirming that the events of the final match dealt a strong blow to CAF's efforts to establish integrity within African football.
CAF President's Disappointment
Motsepe clarified in official statements that he was informed of the Appeals Committee's decision regarding the appeal submitted by Morocco, indicating that he had previously expressed his deep disappointment with the events of the final, which directly affected the credibility of the competition. He added that what happened in the final "undermined the great work" that the CAF has done over the years to promote integrity, respect, and ethics, and brought the file of doubts and lack of confidence back to the forefront again.
Strengthening the independence of judicial bodies
The CAF President pointed out the efforts of the African Union over the years to enhance the independence of referees and match observers and to ensure complete neutrality, explaining that the recent events highlighted the importance of the independence of judicial bodies within CAF. Motsepe explained that the CAF adopted a new mechanism for selecting members of these bodies through nominations from national federations and the six regions on the continent, to ensure the presence of judges and lawyers who possess competence and integrity, adding that the challenges associated with public confidence are still ongoing and require continuous work.
Respect for Senegal's rights and fair treatment
Motsepe also revealed that the differing decisions of the Disciplinary Committee and the Appeals Committee reflect the independence of the judicial institutions within the CAF, stressing that Senegal may submit a new appeal, which is a legitimate right for all federations, whether within the CAF or before the Court of Arbitration for Sport. He stressed that the CAF will respect any decision issued by the higher judicial authorities, while adhering to fair treatment for all African countries without any preference or exception, confirming the start of implementing reform steps to address shortcomings and restore public confidence in the arbitration system and the decisions of the CAF in the future.
