President of the Confederation of African Football, Patrice Motsepe, has firmly defended the autonomy and credibility of the organization’s disciplinary structures following intense backlash over Senegal’s removal as champions of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
In a video statement released on Wednesday, Motsepe stressed the importance of respecting decisions made by CAF’s independent judicial bodies, insisting they are composed of some of the most qualified legal minds on the continent.
“It is important that the decisions of our Disciplinary Board and Appeals Board are viewed with respect and integrity,” Motsepe 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 this perception and concerns about the integrity. It’s an ongoing issue.”
The controversy stems from the AFCON 2025 final in January, where Senegal national football team edged Morocco national football team 1-0 in a tense encounter. The match, however, was overshadowed by a dramatic 17-minute walk-off by Senegal’s players in protest of a late penalty awarded to the hosts.
Following a review, CAF cited breaches of its disciplinary code and overturned the result, a decision that has sparked widespread debate across the football community.
Despite the criticism, Motsepe maintained that CAF’s disciplinary and appeals processes operate independently and meet the highest standards of governance in African football. He acknowledged, however, that rebuilding public trust in such decisions remains a significant and ongoing challenge.
Meanwhile, Senegal has confirmed plans to escalate the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in the coming days, setting the stage for a potentially decisive legal battle over the controversial ruling.
