The President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Patrice Motsepe, has defended the autonomy of the organisation’s disciplinary institutions following widespread criticism over the decision to strip Senegal of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title.
In a video statement released on Wednesday, Motsepe emphasised the need to respect the rulings of CAF’s Disciplinary and Appeals Boards.
“It is important that the decisions of our Disciplinary Board and Appeals Board are viewed with respect and integrity,” he said.
“If you look at the composition of those bodies, they reflect some of the most respected lawyers and judges on the continent.
“But we will still have to deal with these perceptions and concerns about integrity. It is an ongoing issue.”
The ruling follows Senegal’s 1-0 win over Morocco in the January final, a match overshadowed by a 17-minute walk-off by the Senegalese team in protest against a late penalty awarded to the hosts. CAF later cited breaches of its disciplinary code in overturning the result.
Motsepe acknowledged the controversy and criticism the decision has generated but maintained that the expertise and independence of CAF’s judicial bodies meet the highest legal standards in African football. He added that restoring public trust remains a key challenge.
Senegal has confirmed it will appeal CAF’s ruling at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in the coming days.
