The President of the Confederation of African Football, Mr Patrice Motsepe, has defended the organisation’s judicial processes following the Appeal Board’s decision to overturn Senegal’s victory in the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 final and declare Morocco champions.
The CAF Appeal Board upheld an appeal from the Royal Moroccan Football Federation on Tuesday, ruling that Senegal had forfeited the January final under Article 84 of the AFCON regulations after their players walked off the pitch in protest during stoppage time in normal play.
The walk-off stemmed from fury over a controversial penalty awarded to Morocco following a VAR review of a challenge on Brahim Díaz.
Senegal returned to the field, successfully saved the penalty taken by Díaz, and went on to win 1-0 in extra time.
However, the subsequent disciplinary review deemed their actions a breach serious enough to nullify the on-field result.
The board awarded a 3-0 forfeit against the West African team and announced Morocco as champions.
Speaking in a video statement posted on the board’s YouTube channel on Wednesday, Motsepe emphasised the damage caused by the incidents to African football’s credibility.
“I have been informed of the ruling by the CAF Appeals Board concerning the appeal by Morocco relating to the [AFCON] 2025 final match.
“I previously expressed my extreme disappointment with the incidences that took place at the final match,” Motsepe said.
He highlighted how the events undermined years of CAF efforts to promote integrity, respect, ethics, governance, and credible results in African competitions.
“The occurrences, what those incidents at the final match of the Senegal-Morocco expose, are the work that we are still dealing with concerning the suspicion and distrust. It’s a legacy issue.
“When I became president, one of the major concerns was the impartiality, the independence and the respect of referees and match commissioners, and a lot of good work has been done, but there’s also that continues to be suspicion because it’s a legacy issue.
“It’s something that has been there for many, many years, and we consistently deal with it because that’s critically important,” the CAF boss said.
Speaking on independence, Motsepe pointed to CAF’s deliberate approach in selecting judicial body members.
According to him, nominations are invited from each of the 54 member associations and six regional zones to ensure that respected judges and lawyers from across the continent represent diverse perspectives.
“If you look at the composition of those bodies, they reflect some of the most respected lawyers and judges on the continent,” he said.
He acknowledged Senegal’s intention to pursue a further appeal and affirmed that every African nation has the right to defend its interests at the highest levels.
“Every one of the 54 nations in Africa has a right to pursue their appeals and their advanced interests, not only at the highest level in Africa, in CAF, but also at the highest body, which is CAF.
“We will adhere to and respect the decision that’s taken at the highest level,” he said.
The CAF chief reiterated ongoing commitments to address deficiencies, implement best practices, and restore trust among fans across the continent.
“It is important for us that ordinary football supporters and spectators in every one of the 54 countries in Africa… regard the decisions of our judicial bodies as fair, with integrity and impartiality.
“What is equally important is that they regard our referees, our VAR operators, and our match commissioners as people who are fair and just,” he concluded.
The ruling has sparked widespread debate, with Senegal’s football federation labelling it a “travesty” and vowing to challenge it at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
The decision marks a rare instance in major football history where an on-field result in a major final was retroactively overturned due to a mid-match protest.
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