CAF general secretary resigns amid AFCON final fallout
CAIRO: The Confederation of African Football (CAF) faced a turbulent day on Sunday as its General Secretary resigned, deepening the crisis triggered by January’s controversial Africa Cup of Nations final.
The resignation comes in the wake of widespread criticism over the handling of the final between Senegal and Morocco, which saw Senegal temporarily walk off the pitch in protest over a contentious penalty decision. Although they returned to play and scored in extra time, CAF later ruled that Senegal had forfeited the match, awarding Morocco the title, a decision that has been met with global derision.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe announced that the organisation would implement changes to its statutes and regulations to prevent similar incidents in the future. While he emphasized that the reforms aim to strengthen trust in referees, VAR operators, and CAF judicial bodies, no specific details were provided.
“CAF has taken extensive legal advice from top African and international football lawyers and experts to ensure that our statutes and regulations meet global football best practices,” Motsepe said. “This is crucial for the respect, integrity, and credibility of African referees, VAR operators, and our Disciplinary and Appeal Boards.”
Motsepe also highlighted ongoing collaboration with FIFA to enhance training for referees, VAR operators, and match commissioners across Africa, stating that the aim is to match the best standards in world football.
The controversy over the AFCON final continues to cast a shadow over CAF’s governance. Senegal has appealed the ruling to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, and a reversal of the decision could further undermine the organisation’s credibility.
Motsepe acknowledged the challenges, admitting earlier this month that CAF was struggling with perceptions about its integrity. The sudden resignation of the General Secretary underscores the pressure on the governing body to restore trust among African football fans and stakeholders. Monitoring Desk
