CAF Appeals Committee vice opposes decision to crown Morocco AFCON 2025 champions

The Vice-President of the CAF Appeals Committee, Faustino Varela Montero, has publicly opposed the controversial ruling that awarded Morocco the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title at the expense of Senegal.

The decision, issued on March 17, overturned Senegal’s 1-0 victory in the final played on January 18 in Rabat, instead granting Morocco a 3-0 win following an appeal by the Moroccan Football Federation.

The appeal was based on claims that Senegal’s players had temporarily withdrawn from the pitch, citing Articles 82 and 84 of the competition’s regulations.

However, new details have revealed internal disagreement within the Appeals Committee. According to reports, Montero was the only member to vote against the decision, with three others supporting the reversal of the result.

Speaking to Senegalese outlet L’Observateur, Montero made his position clear.

“I am against the decision to withdraw the title from Senegal and crown Morocco,” he said.

He argued that even if there was a breach of regulations, it did not prevent the match from being completed, and therefore, the result on the pitch should stand.

He added, “The facts contained in the match officials’ reports are considered correct and accurate until proven otherwise. In case of a conflict, the referee’s report remains the supreme authority on the field.”

The dispute has now been taken to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), with the Senegalese Football Federation awaiting a final verdict. Montero, however, suggested that CAS is unlikely to overturn decisions made during the match itself unless there is clear evidence of abuse of power or bad faith.

He explained, “CAS will not reconsider a decision made on the field of play unless there is evidence of abuse of power or bad faith, even if the decision appears to have been wrong when reviewed later.”

With the final ruling expected in the coming months, the case continues to generate intense debate across African football, as both nations await a definitive resolution.