We are still dealing with suspicion and mistrust, says CAF President Patrice Motsepe

Dr Patrice Motsepe, President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), has acknowledged lingering trust and integrity concerns in African football after Senegal was stripped of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title.

Senegal had defeated Morocco 1-0 in Rabat, but the match was marred by a 14-minute walk-off at the end of regulation time, triggered by a controversial penalty awarded to the hosts. The team eventually returned to the pitch and secured victory in extra time.

Although CAF’s Disciplinary Board initially dismissed Morocco’s protest, the Appeal Board later ruled that Senegal had violated tournament regulations by walking off, and consequently awarded the title to Morocco.

In a video statement released by CAF, Motsepe defended the Appeal Board’s decision, while expressing concern about the broader challenges facing African football.

“I previously expressed my extreme disappointment with the incidents that took place ​at the final,” Motsepe said on Wednesday.

“It undermines the good work that CAF has done over many, many years to ensure that there’s integrity, there’s respect, there’s ethics, there’s governance, as well as the credibility of the results of ​our football matches.

“We are still dealing with suspicion and mistrust. It’s a legacy issue. When I became president, one ​of the major concerns was the impartiality, independence and the respect of referees and match commissioners, and a lot of good work ‌has ⁠been done,” he insisted.

Senegal, meanwhile, has indicated its intention to appeal the ruling at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in the coming days.