Rabat, Morocco — The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced a series of regulatory reforms in the wake of the controversy that marred the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final between Morocco and Senegal. The decision follows a prolonged debate over the match’s conclusion, in which CAF awarded Morocco a 3-0 victory, citing Senegal’s withdrawal as the reason. The matter is now before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which is expected to render the definitive decision.
CAF’s reforms are designed to reinforce confidence in refereeing and disciplinary bodies, targeting areas such as referees’performance, the use of Video Assistant Refereeing (VAR), and the composition of judicial committees, including disciplinary and appeals panels. The governing body has deemed the events of the final “unacceptable “and underlines the commitment to prevent such incidents in future competitions.
In a bid to improve standards, CAF plans to enhance referee training and deepen its collaboration with FIFA. The organization also highlighted its dedication to transparency and accountability, a move aimed at rebuilding trust among stakeholders. CAF President Patrice Motsepe emphasized the importance of these reforms, which were developed after consulting legal experts from across Africa and beyond.
CAF also assured that it will maintain the appointment of experienced African lawyers and judges to uphold fairness and independence within its decision — making processes. The organization reaffirmed its commitment to treating all member associations equally, without preferential treatment.
Motsepe, addressing the executive committee in Cairo, underscored the need to focus on the development of African football. He highlighted ongoing competitions and upcoming events, such as the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, as part of CAF’s strategic forward-looking approach.
Source: moroccoworldnews
