Samuel Eto’o and the Algerian Football Federation have strongly criticised the refereeing of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, calling into question the leadership of the CAF referees’ committee.
During Friday’s Confederation of African Football (CAF) Executive Committee meeting in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, the discussion quickly turned into a heated confrontation with Olivier Safari Kabene, chairman of the referees’ committee.
Several federation presidents voiced sharp concerns over controversial officiating decisions during the tournament.
Walid Sadi, president of the Algerian Football Federation (FAF), highlighted what he described as errors and biased disciplinary sanctions.
He also criticised the process used to appoint officials, including the validation of referees via WhatsApp, according to La Gazette du Fennec.
“The commission should be dissolved and a new body established,” Sadi said, calling for immediate reform of the refereeing structure.
Samuel Eto’o, president of the Cameroonian Football Federation (Fecafoot), echoed these criticisms.
Suspended for four matches after losing his temper during Cameroon’s 0-2 quarter-final defeat to Morocco, Eto’o described the disciplinary measures against him as unjust.
“It is a form of injustice,” he stated, emphasising the need for transparency and fairness in officiating.
The atmosphere in the meeting became increasingly tense, with Safari Kabene repeatedly interrupted by other officials.
Senegalese referee Augustin Senghor, Ivorian referee Idriss Diallo, and Egyptian referee Hani Abou Reda all demanded that Safari Kabene either step down or be dismissed.
According to Winwin, Kabene faced criticism for appointing the same referee from the opening match through to the final, and was reprimanded for remaining silent amidst the controversy.
He was heckled and interrupted until he finally fell silent, underscoring the high tension surrounding the issue.
The confrontations revealed deep divisions within CAF over refereeing standards and highlighted growing calls for structural reforms to ensure impartiality and credibility in African football’s top tournament.
The outcome of these discussions could have significant implications for both the referees’ committee and the management of future editions of the Africa Cup of Nations.
🔥⚽ Ça a chauffé à Dar es-Salam !
💬 Walid Sadi est monté au front lors d’une réunion du COMEX de la CAF pic.twitter.com/xSpQNlVFq7— La Gazette du Fennec (@LGDFennec) February 14, 2026
