Luxolo September: Patrice Motsepe has no role in appointing members of CAF Disciplinary or Appeals Boards

Luxolo September, the CAF Head of TV and Communications, issued a public defense of CAF President Patrice Motsepe on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, as the continent’s football governing body faces unprecedented backlash following its decision to strip Senegal of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title.

The controversy follows a landmark ruling by the CAF Appeals Board on Tuesday, which overturned Senegal’s 1–0 on-pitch victory in the January final, awarding a 3–0 forfeit win to Morocco.

The decision cited Senegal’s 17-minute walk-off in protest of a late penalty as a violation of Articles 82 and 84 of the tournament regulations.

September Rejects Claims of Presidential Interference

Responding to widespread allegations of bias and claims that President Motsepe influenced the board’s decision, September outlined four “FACTS” to emphasize the independence of CAF’s legal structures:

• No Say in Rulings: The CAF President does not sit on or have any say in the decisions of any judicial body within the organization.
• Independent Composition: Both the Disciplinary and Appeal Boards are comprised of professional judges and lawyers.
• Congressional Appointments: These legal tribunals are appointed directly by the CAF Congress, not the executive office.
• Post-Fact Notification: Motsepe reportedly receives final rulings via email at the same time as the general public.

A Continent Divided

The defense comes as the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) officially labeled the ruling a “travesty” and confirmed it will appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Switzerland.

Critics across the continent have questioned why a result celebrated on the pitch two months ago was overturned by a committee months later.

Earlier today, President Motsepe personally addressed the situation, stating that the conflicting outcomes between the Disciplinary Board (which initially let the result stand) and the Appeals Board actually serve as proof of the “true independence” of CAF’s judicial arms.

The fallout has overshadowed what was otherwise hailed as a commercially successful tournament, with experts warning that the ongoing legal battle could “discredit” African football as it prepares for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.