The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has reportedly dismissed its Director of Refereeing, Désiré Noumandiez Doué, following Morocco’s official protest over the officiating in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final.
According to multiple reports, the decision marks CAF’s first concrete disciplinary action amid growing discontent over refereeing standards—concerns that intensified after the final, played last Saturday at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) filed a formal complaint earlier this week, as first reported by AfricaSoccer.com, alleging “critical errors” during the title-deciding clash, which Nigeria won 3–2.
The match was officiated by Namibia’s Antsino Twanyanyukwa, supported by assistant referees from Rwanda and Senegal, and a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) team led by Rwanda’s Salima Mukansanga.
The FRMF’s complaint highlighted two key incidents: a penalty awarded to Nigeria that Morocco described as “highly debatable,” and another potential spot-kick for Morocco that was overturned after VAR review.
The federation also submitted a CD containing footage of what it believes were other decisive refereeing mistakes.
Morocco’s head coach, Jorge Vilda, voiced strong disapproval after the match. “We can’t understand the referee’s decision,” he told ESPN. “She gave a penalty, but the images shown to her were different from what we saw. We were convinced it had to stand.”
He added that the reversal had a lasting impact on his team: “It had a psychological effect and shocked us. It was a massive blow.”
The controversy has once again placed CAF’s officiating under the microscope, with calls for greater transparency and accountability.
For years, some North African football associations have accused the continental body—currently led by South Africa’s Patrice Motsepe—of regional bias.
CAF is also facing criticism over a recent promotional video that depicted a divided map of Morocco, excluding the country’s southern provinces—further straining its relationship with the FRMF.
