The Confederation of African Football (Caf) appeals committee has stripped Senegal of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) title and awarded it to Morocco, a decision that has sparked outrage across the continent. Critics argue the ruling contradicts the laws of the game, which state that a referee's on-field decisions are final.
A former member of the Caf appeals committee expressed disbelief, stating the committee does not have the power to overturn a referee's decision. Samir Sobha, a Caf executive committee member from Mauritius, called the ruling "a big joke," warning that correcting one injustice with another is unacceptable from a sporting or ethical standpoint.
This is not the first time Caf has made a controversial ruling. In 2019, Caf's executive committee overturned a referee's decision in the Caf Champions League final, only for the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) to later reinstate the original verdict. Observers expect Cas to similarly reverse this latest decision to uphold the principle that the referee's decision is final.
The ruling has also cast a shadow over Patrice Motsepe's presidency of Caf, with many questioning his credibility. The decision comes amid lingering discontent over the postponement of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations, which Motsepe had promised would take place on time in Morocco.
