The President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Patrice Motsepe, has reaffirmed the continental body’s firm commitment to protecting the integrity, reputation, and global competitiveness of African football, following what he described as “unacceptable incidents” during the finals of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025.
In a statement published on Friday on CAF’s official website, Motsepe said he was “extremely disappointed” by the events that marred the tournament’s final stages, stressing that he respects and will fully adhere to the decisions taken by CAF’s Judicial Bodies.
“I have taken note of the decision of the CAF Disciplinary Board. I respect and will adhere to every decision of our CAF Judicial Bodies,” Motsepe said.
In response, the CAF president announced that he had convened an extraordinary meeting of the CAF Executive Committee (EXCO), the organization’s highest decision-making body, outside the framework of the Annual Ordinary General Assembly. The meeting aims to review CAF’s regulations, including the CAF Disciplinary Code.
According to Motsepe, the review seeks to ensure that CAF’s Judicial Bodies are empowered to impose “appropriate and dissuasive sanctions” for serious violations of CAF statutes and regulations, as well as for conduct that undermines the reputation, integrity, and global standing of African football and CAF competitions.
Motsepe also highlighted recent progress in officiating standards across the continent, noting significant improvements in the quality, integrity, and independence of African referees, VAR operators, and match commissioners. He said CAF is determined to allocate additional financial resources and expert technical support to ensure that African match officials meet the highest international standards.
“We are determined to ensure that the quality, integrity, impartiality, skills and expertise of African referees, VAR operators and match commissioners are as good as the best in the world,” he said.
The CAF president recalled that one of his first reforms upon assuming office was to guarantee the independence and impartiality of the CAF Referees Committee. He noted that the committee is composed of members proposed by the 54 CAF Member Associations, alongside the continent’s most respected and qualified referees.
“It is very important that African referees, VAR operators and match commissioners are perceived, respected and acknowledged as being impartial, fair and world class,” Motsepe stressed.
Concluding his statement, Motsepe expressed confidence that the new measures and regulatory changes would reinforce the standing of African football globally.
“With the additional changes and extensive measures that we are introducing, African Football and CAF Competitions will continue to be respected, admired and amongst the best in the world,” he said.
