CAF judicial committee chief Yassin Othman sacked over AFCON 2025 final ruling controversy

Head of the judicial bodies of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Yassin Othman, has been dismissed amid controversy surrounding key disciplinary decisions after the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations tournament.

The continental showpiece, held in Morocco ended in a dramatic fashion, where Senegal players walked-off the pitch in protest against a penalty awarded to the Atlas Lions in stoppage time.

But for Sadio Mane’s intervention, the Teranga Lions returned for the continuation of the match and went ahead to win the title after Brahim Diaz had missed the penalty that had triggered the protest.

After the tournament, the continental football governing body (CAF) sanctioned both Morocco and Senegal for misconduct during the final.

The final, played between the Moroccan and Senegal,triggered disputes that intensified scrutiny of CAF’s legal and disciplinary processes.

Amid growing debate over rulings linked to the controversial AFCON final, the General Secretary of CAF, Veron Mosengo-Omba has decided to relieve Yassin Othman from his role as the head of the judicial committee after six-year of service.

The fallout from those decisions is believed to have prompted a wider review within CAF’s executive structures. As part of the reshuffle, the CAF Executive Committee has appointed Cedric Agay, the current Director of Legal Affairs, to serve as interim head of the judicial bodies. He is expected to steer the department during this transitional period, with the possibility of being confirmed in the role on a permanent basis.

The leadership change has already had immediate consequences. Decisions regarding the contentious CAF Champions League fixture between Al Ahly SC and AS FAR (Royal Army) have reportedly been delayed as the new legal leadership settles into office.

The development marks a significant moment for CAF’s governance framework, particularly at a time when the body is under pressure to ensure transparency, consistency, and credibility in its disciplinary rulings. With key continental competitions ongoing, attention will now turn to how swiftly the restructured judicial department can address pending cases and restore confidence in its processes.