CAF President Patrice Motsepe has broken his silence following the controversial decision to strip Senegal of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title and award it to Morocco, emphasizing that the rulings of the federation’s judicial bodies must be respected.
Motsepe explained that the decision was made by CAF’s independent appeals committee in accordance with competition regulations, stressing that it was a legal, not political, judgment. He reaffirmed CAF’s duty to uphold the rules and ensure justice is carried out in line with established procedures.
The decision was officially announced on March 17, 2026, after the appeals committee found that the Senegal team violated regulations by leaving the pitch without the referee’s permission during the final against Morocco. According to the rules, such an action is considered a forfeiture, resulting in a 3-0 victory awarded to Morocco.
Initially, Senegal had won the match 1-0 after extra time, but the game was overshadowed by major controversy after their players walked off the pitch protesting a late penalty awarded to Morocco.
However, Motsepe’s statement comes amid strong opposition from Senegal, where both the government and the national football federation have labeled the decision unfair and announced plans to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
The saga has sparked widespread debate across Africa and globally, with some football stakeholders criticizing the decision while others stress the importance of adhering to the rules of the game.
Despite the pressure, Motsepe has insisted that CAF will continue to uphold the principles of fairness, transparency, and good governance in African football.
