The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced plans to reform its statutes and regulations following the controversial final of the Africa Cup of Nations 2025.
The decision comes after the final between Morocco national football team and Senegal national football team, which was overshadowed by a disputed late penalty that triggered protests and crowd disorder.
Senegal players, led by captain Sadio Mané, briefly walked off the pitch before returning to complete the match. Brahim Díaz missed the resulting penalty, and Pape Gueye later scored a stoppage-time winner.
However, CAF subsequently ruled that Senegal had forfeited the match due to the walk-off, awarding a 3-0 victory to Morocco, a decision that has drawn widespread criticism.
Senegal have since taken the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
CAF president Patrice Motsepe acknowledged the seriousness of the situation and confirmed reforms are underway.
“CAF is currently implementing far-reaching changes and improvements to the CAF Statutes and Regulations, which will strengthen the trust and confidence in CAF referees, VAR operators, match commissioners and in the CAF disciplinary and appeal bodies.”
He added that the measures are aimed at preventing a repeat of the incidents witnessed during the tournament.
“These changes and improvements to the CAF Statutes and Regulations will also ensure that the unacceptable incidences that took place at the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON Morocco 2025 do not happen again.”
Motsepe said CAF had sought expert legal guidance to align its framework with global standards.
“CAF has taken extensive legal advice from top African and international football lawyers and experts, to ensure that the CAF Statutes and Regulations adhere to and implement global football best practices, on and off the field.”
He also stressed the need to improve officiating standards across the continent.
“CAF is working with FIFA for the ongoing training of African referees, VAR operators and match commissioners so that they are as good as the best in the world. We must also professionalise African referees and VAR operators and pay them well.”
CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE ATHLETIC NG WHATSAPP CHANNEL NOW!
Motsepe noted that the governing body’s immediate attention remains on ongoing competitions, while the AFCON final dispute is now a legal matter.
“The matters relating to the incidences that took place at the final match of the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON Morocco 2025 are before CAS and the primary focus of CAF currently is on the CAF Confederation Cup, the CAF Champions League and other competitions.”
READ ALSO:npfl-round-up-rivers-united-surge-back-to-first-as-rangers-slip
He added that CAF is also supporting African teams ahead of the next World Cup.
“CAF is also focused on working together, cooperating and supporting each of the African nations that will be participating in the FIFA World Cup 2026. We are confident that the African nations will make us proud.”
