Patrice Motsepe Assures CAF Will Respect CAS Verdict on Appeal

CAF President Patrice Motsepe

CAF President Patrice Motsepe confirms review of processes after Africa Cup of Nations final controversy between Senegal and Morocco.

CAF to implement corrective measures following AFCON final incidents, says Motsepe...

Patrice Motsepe, President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), has backed the decision to strip Senegal of their AFCON title and award it to Morocco. The Appeal Board ruled that Senegal's walk-off in protest of a stoppage time penalty was a violation of Articles 82 and 84, leading to a 3-0 win for Morocco.

Motsepe has urged Senegal to appeal the decision, stating that they have the right to do so and that CAF will respect the outcome. He emphasized that the judicial bodies of CAF are independent and composed of respected lawyers and judges, ensuring a fair process.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has stripped Senegal of its Africa Cup of Nations title, awarding it to Morocco instead. This decision was made citing articles 82 and 84 of the Africa Cup of Nations Regulations, which state that a team that refuses to play or leaves the field without the referee's authorization is considered to have lost and is eliminated from the competition.

The controversy stems from the final match in Rabat, where Senegal won 1-0 after extra time. However, Morocco was awarded a penalty in stoppage time, which led to a chaotic scene with Senegal players walking off the pitch in protest. Although they returned, and Brahim Diaz missed the penalty, CAF's Appeal Board ruled that Senegal's actions warranted a 3-0 defeat.

Senegal's government has condemned the decision, calling it “grossly illegal and profoundly unjust” and demanding an international investigation into suspected corruption within CAF. The Senegalese Football Federation plans to appeal the ruling at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Senegal's players walked off the pitch in protest during the Africa Cup of Nations final against Morocco, but returned after a 14-minute delay. The drama didn't end there - Morocco's Brahim Diaz missed a crucial penalty, and Senegal went on to win 1-0 in extra time thanks to Pape Gueye's goal.

However, the victory was short-lived. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) Appeal Board overturned the result, awarding Morocco a 3-0 win and stripping Senegal of the title. Senegal plans to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Credibility of African Football Under Fire

The credibility of African football is being questioned after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) stripped Senegal of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title and awarded it to Morocco. CAF President Patrice Motsepe admitted he was “extremely disappointed” by the incidents during the final, which undermined years of effort to restore trust, fairness, and strong governance in African football.

Motsepe emphasized that the events surrounding the final have cast a shadow over the integrity and credibility of African football, saying it's a “legacy issue” that CAF has been working to address. He assured that CAF's judicial bodies are independent and composed of respected lawyers and judges, and that no country receives preferential treatment.

The controversy stems from Senegal's walk-off in protest of a late penalty awarded to Morocco, which led to the Appeal Board ruling that Senegal had forfeited the match. Senegal plans to appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

“I have been informed of the decision rendered by the CAF Appeals Committee regarding Morocco’s appeal concerning the final match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, and I have previously expressed my deep disappointment with the incidents that occurred during that final,” said Motsepe.

“The most important aspect of what happened during that match is that it undermines the considerable work carried out by CAF over many years to guarantee the integrity, respect, ethics, good governance, and credibility of the results of our football matches.

“The events and incidents that occurred during the final of the 2025 AFCON in Morocco highlight the work that still needs to be done to address suspicion and a lack of trust. This is a legacy of the past.”

CAF President Patrice Motsepe has raised concerns about the perception of refereeing standards and match officiating in African football, noting that these areas remain under scrutiny despite ongoing reforms. The incidents at the Africa Cup of Nations final have highlighted these issues, with questions about the consistency and fairness of refereeing decisions.

Motsepe also emphasized the importance of the independence of CAF's judicial bodies, assuring that they are composed of respected lawyers and judges who make decisions based on the rules and regulations. However, the controversy surrounding the final has put these bodies under the microscope, with some questioning their impartiality.

‘When I became president, one of the major concerns was the impartiality, independence, and respect shown to referees and match commissioners. Much progress has been made, but a certain mistrust remains due to this legacy,” added Motsepe.

“This is an issue that has existed for many years and that we continue to address because it is essential. Another important point highlighted by the incidents in this final concerns the independence and respect shown to our judicial bodies.”

Revealing how members of the judicial bodies were selected, Motsepe said: “In selecting members for our judicial bodies, we adopted a different approach, distinct from that which prevailed previously.

“We invited each member association, as well as each of the six CAF regional zones, to nominate renowned judges and respected lawyers, as it is essential that the decisions of our Disciplinary Committee, the CAF Disciplinary Committee, and the CAF Appeals Committee be perceived with the respect and integrity that are fundamental to us.

“Therefore, if you examine the composition of these bodies, you will find that they include some of the most respected jurists and judges on the continent.”

Motsepe continued: “We still need to address perceptions and concerns related to integrity. This is a long-term undertaking.

“At CAF, we are fully committed to ensuring not only the quality of our actions, as we have implemented best practices, but also to identifying judges and lawyers from every region, every zone, and all 54 African countries to ensure they are individuals of integrity with recognized experience.

“This independence is reflected in the decisions made by both bodies. The CAF Disciplinary Committee issued a ruling. The CAF Appeals Committee took a completely different position.”

Senegal to Appeal CAF Decision to CAS

Senegal has the right to appeal the Confederation of African Football's (CAF) decision to strip them of their Africa Cup of Nations title, according to CAF President Patrice Motsepe. The Senegalese Football Federation has announced it will take the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), citing “unfair, unprecedented, and unacceptable” decision by CAF.

The controversy stems from Senegal's walk-off in protest of a late penalty awarded to Morocco in the final, which led to CAF's Appeal Board ruling that Senegal had forfeited the match. Senegal won the original match 1-0, but CAF has awarded the title to Morocco.

CAF President Patrice Motsepe has assured that the organization will fully respect whatever verdict is reached by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Senegal's appeal. “CAF will respect the decision of CAS,” he said, emphasizing the independence of the judicial process.

“I have been informed Senegal is considering an appeal, which is very important. Each of the 54 African nations has the right to pursue all necessary legal avenues to defend its interests, not only at the highest level in Africa, within CAF, but also before the highest court, the Court of Arbitration for Sport,” explained Motsepe.

“And we will comply with and respect the decision that will be made at the highest level. A key principle is that no African country will be treated more favorably, advantageously, or favorably than any other country on the African continent.”

CAF President Patrice Motsepe has assured Africa that the organization is reviewing its processes and plans to implement corrective measures to address weaknesses exposed during the Africa Cup of Nations final. This move aims to restore trust and credibility in African football.

“We have already taken significant steps to ensure the areas identified as having shortcomings and requiring improvement undergo the necessary reforms,” he said.

“We hold ourselves to very high standards. It is essential for us that ordinary fans and spectators in each of the 54 African countries, according to their own judgment—and not that of CAF or myself—consider the decisions of our judicial bodies to be fair, honest, and impartial.”

𝐌𝐨𝐭𝐬𝐞𝐩𝐞: 𝐖𝐞 𝐇𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐇𝐈𝐆𝐇 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬

CAF President, Dr. Patrice Motsepe says they have HIGH standards at CAF & decisions taken by the CAF Judiciary MUST be respected #Senegal #Morocco #Motsepe pic.twitter.com/3pt6s7ifI8

— Karabo Selebalo Phasha (@TheeSportsGuy01) March 18, 2026

“It is equally important they consider our referees, VAR operators, and match commissioners to be fair and just. The decisions that are made must reflect the impartiality and independence that are absolutely essential.”

Senegal is fighting to get their Africa Cup of Nations title back, confirming they'll appeal the Confederation of African Football's (CAF) decision to strip them of the trophy and award it to Morocco instead.