CAF Second Vice President, Kurt Okraku, has firmly rejected claims that the governing body manipulated refereeing to favour host nation Morocco during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
In an interview with Accra-based Metro TV, Okraku labelled the allegations as “completely false,” emphasising that CAF is dedicated to impartiality and fair competition across African football.
He stated that the idea of officials being influenced to secure a host nation’s victory is “never true,” underscoring that CAF’s role is to promote the development of the sport rather than manipulate results.
Acknowledging that referees, like all humans, can make mistakes, Okraku cautioned against interpreting occasional errors as intentional bias.
He added that the CAF Executive Council includes representatives from all member associations, making it implausible for the organisation to favour one country over others.
Okraku reiterated that CAF operates under strict principles of fairness, transparency, and integrity.
He concluded by reaffirming the Confederation’s commitment to neutral and competitive football, with the overarching aim of fostering the growth and credibility of African football.
