The Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced plans for new reforms aimed at preventing controversies like those surrounding the AFCON 2025 final, where Senegal’s initial victory was overturned in favor of Morocco. CAF President Patrice Motsepe said some of these reforms would be presented to the Ordinary General Assembly of CAF’s 54 member nations, while others will be implemented by the Executive Council with support from FIFA, according to MyJoyOnline.
The decision to award Morocco the championship after Senegal’s original win in the January 18 match sparked widespread disputes, including legal challenges at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Motsepe has emphasized CAF’s commitment to respecting CAS’s final ruling and fostering unity among African football teams, following his visits to both Morocco and Senegal, reports MyJoyOnline and Vanguard Nigeria.
Motsepe also rejected claims of corruption from the Senegalese government related to the title reversal. He highlighted CAF’s transparency and adherence to lawful procedures, stating the organization welcomes any investigations into the dispute to maintain the sport’s integrity, according to Vanguard Nigeria and France 24.
In addressing broader concerns, Motsepe urged Africans to maintain faith in the progress of African football administration despite the tension generated by the controversy. He noted ongoing efforts to restore confidence after the dispute, outlining that the reforms seek to prevent similar disputes in future tournaments, MyJoyOnline adds.
Observers will be closely watching the outcome of the CAS hearing and the adoption of CAF’s proposed reforms. These developments could significantly impact governance and dispute resolution processes within African football, setting precedents for future continental competitions.
Patrice Motsepe
Court of Arbitration for Sport
CAF
Morocco
Senegal
