Accra, Ghana — The Confederation of African Football (CAF) president, Patrice Motsepe, has expressed openness to an independent inquiry into the governance of the African football body. This comes amidst growing tensions over the decision to strip Senegal of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) hosting rights and award them to Morocco. The move has sparked fierce opposition from Dakar, which has lodged an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Motsepe, during a visit to Dakar, emphasized his support for any initiative aimed at uncovering the truth about CAF’s governance. “We will cooperate fully with any independent inquiry,” he said reinforcing his stance against corruption, which he considers a significant threat to the credibility of African football. The CAF president also highlighted the organization’s commitment to abide by the decisions made by CAS.
The controversy has further tarnished CAF’s image, which was already under scrutiny for governance issues. Motsepe’s willingness to undergo an investigation is viewed as a step towards regaining trust, although critics argue that the damage may be irreparable. As CAS’s final ruling hangs in the balance, the fate of the AFCON and the future of CAF remain uncertain.
In response to the situation, Motsepe embarked on a tour of West and North Africa, meeting with Senegalese authorities in Dakar and Moroccan officials in Rabat. The aim of the tour was to ease tensions and maintain stability within African football.
Source: Africanews
Original author: Dominic Wabwireh
