Patrice Motsepe, the President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), said the organisation will abide by the final verdict of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) regarding Senegal’s appeal over the stripping of their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title.

The dispute stems from the controversial outcome of the Africa Cup of Nations final, in which CAF awarded Morocco a 3–0 victory after ruling that Senegal had effectively withdrawn from the match following a walkout protest.

Read Also: CAS confirms Senegal appeal over stripped AFCON 2025 title

Speaking at a press conference in Cairo after a CAF executive meeting, Motsepe maintained a neutral stance on the matter.

“I will respect and implement the CAS decision. My personal opinion regarding the matter is irrelevant,” he said.

Read Also: Senegal parades AFCON 2025 trophy despite CAF ruling

Background to the Dispute

Senegal had initially secured a 1–0 victory over Morocco in the final played in Rabat. However, the match descended into controversy when several Senegal players, alongside head coach Pape Thiaw and his staff, walked off the pitch in protest after a late penalty was awarded to Morocco.

Although play eventually resumed, with Brahim Díaz missing the penalty and Pape Gueye scoring in extra time, CAF’s Appeals Board later overturned the result, citing a breach of regulations.

Awaiting Final Verdict

The case is now before CAS, which is expected to deliver a binding ruling that will determine the rightful outcome of the tournament.

Motsepe also revealed plans to visit both Senegal and Morocco in a bid to ease tensions and reinforce unity within African football.

CAF Reforms in Focus

CAF confirmed it is implementing regulatory and structural changes aimed at restoring confidence in officiating and governance. These include improvements to refereeing standards, VAR operations, and judicial processes.

“The changes will ensure that incidents like those witnessed in the final do not happen again,” a CAF statement noted.

Head of Sports at BusinessDay Media, a seasoned Digital Content Producer, and FIFA/CAF Accredited Journalist with over a decade of sports reporting.Has a deep understanding of the Nigerian and global sports landscape and skills in delivering comprehensive and insightful sports content.

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