CAF promises reforms after Afcon final controversy

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) says it has introduced new laws and regulations after “deficiencies” contributed to a chaotic end to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final in Morocco, a tournament that has since become the subject of an ongoing legal dispute.CAF president Patrice Motsepe said the governing body had identified shortcomings linked to match officiating processes and operational control after Senegal’s on-pitch 1–0 extra-time win was later overturned by a CAF appeal board, with the trophy awarded to hosts Morocco.Motsepe said: “We’ve done good work in terms of building the confidence and the trust amongst the football community of our referees and of our VAR.“But there are still these challenges and we’ve recognised what the deficiencies were that led to the unfortunate incidents we had in Morocco. We’ve introduced new laws, new regulations which will ensure that doesn’t happen again.”The appeal board ruling, delivered in March, cited Senegal walking off in protest after Morocco were awarded a penalty following a VAR review in second-half injury time when the match was goalless, according to the case summary circulated around the decision.The final in Rabat on January 18 was also marred by clashes involving stadium security and supporters, plus allegations of unsporting conduct aimed at Morocco tied to “towelgate,” a series of incidents involving the Senegal goalkeeper’s towel.The fallout has undermined CAF’s efforts to strengthen governance standards and commercial credibility around its flagship national-team property, with sponsors, broadcasters and host nations watching how disputes and crowd control issues are handled.Former Premier League midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker called the title reversal an “embarrassment” and warned about broader reputational damage, saying: “It gives other federations around the world an opportunity to laugh at CAF, to laugh at the Africa Cup of Nations and laugh at Africa as a continent because of how this whole situation has been handled.”The Senegalese Football Federation has described the decision as a “robbery” and has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which is expected to issue a ruling on the matter.Motsepe said he had visited both Senegal and Morocco in an attempt to rebuild trust while the case remains live, and committed CAF to implementing the eventual outcome.Motsepe said: “We are waiting for the judgement of the Court of Arbitration for Sport and African football is continuing to grow and develop. Whatever decision comes, we will respect and implement.”CAF has also faced renewed scrutiny after appointing DR Congo referee Jean-Jacques Ndala, who took charge of the Afcon final, to officiate the first leg of the African Champions League final, despite concerns voiced by finalists Mamelodi Sundowns and AS FAR.Motsepe said: “After the final in Morocco, the chairman of the referees committee came to the executive committee, and they gave a thorough report of his performance and they assessed how he refereed the match in accordance with the global best practises of refereeing.“The referee’s committee is independent. We don’t get involved and should not get involved in identifying who should ref at which match.”Motsepe also sought to play down concerns over preparations for Afcon 2027, due in June 2027 and set to be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, after inspections flagged delays in stadium and infrastructure projects.Motsepe said: “We’ve got people from CAF who are permanently based in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, and they are everyday working on the preparations and making sure that the Afcon which is going to take place in June 2027 is going to be successful.”In Kenya, preparations are unfolding alongside a governance dispute inside the Football Kenya Federation, with senior officials demanding the resignation of president Hussein Mohammed over allegations of financial impropriety, claims he has rejected, and with CAF and FIFA seeking clarification.