Whatever the decision of CAS, we will respect it – CAF boss Patrice Motsepe amid AFCON dispute

The President of the Confederation of African Football, Patrice Motsepe, has concluded a high-level visit to Morocco as controversy continues to trail the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final that ultimately saw the hosts declared champions.

During his stay, Motsepe engaged in discussions with Fouzi Lekjaa, President of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football, alongside key figures within the country’s football establishment.

The talks centred on the fallout from the AFCON final, culminating in a press conference in Rabat.

Addressing the media, Motsepe reaffirmed CAF’s stance on the ongoing dispute, emphasising that the continental governing body will fully respect the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s verdict.

“Whatever the decision of CAS, we will respect it,” he said.

Motsepe also stressed the need for unity across African football, drawing on his recent visit to Senegal, where he called on supporters to rally behind the national team and its key players.

“The speech I gave yesterday in Senegal was to say to the people of Senegal: support Sadio Mane, support Coulibaly, support the national team. They will be representing the people of Senegal, and they will be representing the people of Africa. It’s the same message I am taking to the other eight national teams,” he added.

Relations between Senegal and CAF have remained tense since the West African nation was stripped of the AFCON 2025 title following a successful appeal by Morocco.

The North Africans had petitioned CAF’s Disciplinary Board to award them the final after Senegalese players walked off the pitch and remained in the dressing room for 17 minutes in protest of a penalty decision.

Although Brahim Diaz missed the resulting penalty after play resumed, Pape Gueye went on to score a stoppage-time winner for Senegal.

However, CAF’s Appeals Jury later overturned that outcome, awarding Morocco a 3-0 victory—a decision Senegal has since challenged at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, setting the stage for a final ruling that could bring closure to one of the tournament’s most contentious episodes.