CAF president mounts defence of decision to strip Senegal of AFCON title

In his first official comment on one of the most controversial issues in the history of African football, Patrice Motsepe acknowledged a clear contradiction in the decisions of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) committees, following the stripping of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title from Senegal and its awarding to Morocco by a decision of the Appeals Committee.

The case, which sparked an unprecedented storm, dates back to the final, which Senegal won on the field (1-0) after extra time. However, the Appeals Committee reopened the case from a legal standpoint, arguing that what happened during the match—particularly the withdrawal and subsequent reversal of that decision—renders the victory illegitimate, thus administratively overturning the result to a 3-0 loss.

AFCON storm

Amidst an initial decision by the Disciplinary Committee upholding Senegal’s title, and a completely contradictory decision by the Appeals Committee, CAF president Motsepe issued statements asserting that “both decisions should be viewed as fair.” He emphasized that both committees comprise “among the most respected judges and lawyers on the continent,” in an attempt to contain a widening crisis of confidence within African football circles.

He continued:

If you look at the composition of those bodies, they reflect some of the most respected lawyers and judges on the continent. These are people who have integrity and have a track record. The independence is reflected by the decisions that were taken by the two bodies.

However, the most significant message in the CAF president’s statements was the implicit acknowledgment, rather than denial, of the magnitude of the crisis. He expressed his “frustration” with the spectacle of the tournament final, considering what transpired a threat to the efforts made over years to establish the principles of integrity and credibility in the administration of the game on the continent.

In parallel, Motsepe opened the door to legal escalation, affirming Senegal’s right to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), with CAF’s prior commitment to respecting the final ruling. This move effectively transfers the case from the corridors of the continental federation to the international sports judiciary.

The CAF president concluded his remarks with a message that goes beyond the decision itself, when he indicated that the “view of the public” in the 54 member countries represents the true standard of the federation’s credibility, in an acknowledgment that reflects a growing awareness that the crisis is no longer just a legal one, but has turned into a public test of the African public’s trust in its football institutions.

Featured image via the Canary