Former Liberian president and football legend George Weah has criticised the decision by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to withdraw the AFCON 2025 championship from Senegal and award it to Morocco, describing the move as a violation of football’s established rules.
In a statement dated March 18, 2026, Weah argued that the fundamental principles guiding football were ignored, particularly the authority of the referee during a match.
He stressed that under globally accepted rules, decisions taken on the pitch are final once a match has been completed.
Citing the FIFA Laws of the Game, Weah pointed to Law 5, which gives referees full authority to enforce rules and make binding decisions during matches.
According to him, CAF regulations align with these principles and should not be contradicted after the fact.
He referenced the AFCON final between Senegal and Morocco, noting that despite a temporary walk-off by the Senegalese team, the referee allowed play to continue.
The match was ultimately concluded, including extra time, with a result determined on the field.
Weah further explained that the referee’s official report classified the incident as a stoppage rather than a forfeiture, and recommended sanctions for infractions that occurred during the game.
He argued that such a report should have guided any subsequent decisions by CAF.
According to him, the decision taken by CAF’s committee after the match had ended undermines the referee’s authority and contradicts established football laws.
He warned that allowing administrative bodies to overturn on-field decisions could set a dangerous precedent for the sport.
“Football must be decided on the pitch, not re-decided after the final whistle,” Weah stated, cautioning that continued interference by committees could erode the integrity of the game.
He expressed concern that such actions could lead to a situation where post-match rulings override critical in-game decisions such as penalties, offsides, and red cards, raising questions about where such practices might end.
The former Ballon d’Or winner said the development has damaged the credibility of African football, weakening trust in its fairness, consistency, and governance.
Weah therefore called on the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and other relevant authorities to urgently review the matter and ensure that justice is upheld.
He also addressed circulating claims on social media suggesting he supported CAF’s disciplinary decision against Senegal, dismissing them as false and misleading.
He urged those spreading such reports to desist from associating his name with what he described as inaccurate statements.
Weah, a recipient of the Ballon d’Or in 1995 and a three-time African Footballer of the Year, reaffirmed his stance on protecting the integrity of the sport across the continent.
