Patrice Motsepe, President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), announced Sunday that he will fully respect the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruling on Senegal’s appeal over the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final.
“I will respect and implement the CAS decision. My personal opinion regarding the matter is irrelevant,” Motsepe said at a Cairo press conference following a CAF executive meeting.
The appeal followed a controversial conclusion to last month’s final, where Senegal initially beat Morocco 1-0.
Senegalese players and coaching staff temporarily left the pitch after Morocco were awarded an added-time penalty.
The match resumed, Brahim Diaz missed the penalty, and Pape Gueye later scored in extra time, giving Morocco the victory.
A CAF disciplinary committee fined players and officials but did not alter the original result.
Morocco then successfully appealed, receiving a 3-0 victory.
Motsepe emphasised that the appeal board comprises independent judges and lawyers.
On Saturday, Senegal paraded the AFCON trophy during a 2026 World Cup warm-up against Peru in Paris.
Players wore jerseys with two stars, representing their 2022 title and the disputed February triumph. Senegalese musician Youssou N’Dour held the trophy as the squad posed for photos at Stade de France.
Motsepe said he planned visits to Senegal and Morocco to promote collaboration in African football.
CAF also announced updates to its statutes and regulations aimed at strengthening confidence in referees, VAR officials, and judicial bodies, ensuring incidents like the final do not recur.
Additionally, Samson Adamu, a Nigeria-born CAF official, has been appointed caretaker general secretary following the retirement of Veron Mosengo-Omba, who reached CAF’s mandatory retirement age of 66.
Motsepe’s commitment reflects CAF’s intent to uphold sporting integrity while balancing justice and fairness across African football.
