The President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Patrice Motsepe, has said Senegal is fully within its rights to challenge the controversial decision that stripped it of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title.
Speaking in a video released by CAF on Wednesday, Motsepe addressed the growing backlash following the disputed final between Senegal and Morocco, stressing that every nation must be treated equally.
According to him, Senegal’s plan to appeal the ruling is both expected and necessary, adding that all 54 member countries have the right to seek justice through CAF’s structures or at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
He assured that CAF would respect whatever final decision is reached at the highest level.
Motsepe, however, admitted that the controversy has dented confidence in African football. He noted that incidents surrounding the final have raised fresh concerns about integrity, governance, and the credibility of match outcomes.
He described these concerns as part of a long-standing issue, particularly around officiating and trust in decision-making bodies.
The CAF boss also highlighted ongoing reforms within the organisation, especially in the appointment of judicial officials, saying member associations are now involved in nominating qualified judges and legal experts.
Despite these efforts, he acknowledged that rebuilding trust remains a work in progress.
Motsepe made it clear that no country would receive special treatment, emphasising that fairness and transparency are central to CAF’s operations.
He added that internal reviews have already begun to address lapses exposed by the AFCON final, with the aim of restoring confidence among fans across the continent.
The controversy stems from CAF’s decision to overturn Senegal’s 1–0 victory and award Morocco a 3–0 win after ruling that Senegal violated competition rules by temporarily walking off the pitch during the match.
The decision has sparked widespread debate, with Senegal expected to pursue the case further in a bid to reclaim the title.
