In Rabat, the former Secretary General of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Veron Mosengo-Omba, has spoken out in defense of the controversial ruling in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final. CAF officially awarded Morocco a 3-0 victory over Senegal, leading to Senegal’s forfeit. Mosengo-Omba, in an interview with France 24, expressed gratitude to King Mohammed VI and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) for their support during the tournament. He clarified that neither he nor CAF President Patrice Motsepe were involved in the disciplinary procedures following the match.
On January 18, Morocco appealed the decision, citing Article 82 of the AFCON regulations, which states that a team withdrawing from a match without the referee’s approval is considered a loss. Despite Morocco’s appeal, CAF’s disciplinary committee ruled the case did not meet the conditions of Article 82. Senegal also challenged the decision, taking the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne. Mosengo-Omba emphasized the independence of CAS and CAF’s judicial bodies.
Responding to allegations of CAF being manipulated or controlled, Mosengo — Omba stated, “Anyone who claims CAF is under outside control must bring evidence. These claims are simply not true.”He acknowledged the controversy put CAF under scrutiny but maintained that the organization adhered to its statutes and due process. He also revealed considering resignation but decided to stay to oversee the AFCON, which he described as a record-breaker in revenue and global attention.
Mosengo — Omba joined CAF in 2021 after a tenure at FIFA, where he was a significant figure. His time in office was marked by criticism, including governance concerns, decision-making processes, and power concentration. Despite these challenges, he remained in his position amidst growing internal pressure, announcing his resignation on March 29.
Source: moroccoworldnews
Original author: Abderrahim Kabbour
