Motsepe Orders CAF Reforms After AFCON Morocco 2025 Final Controversy

The Confederation of African Football (CAF is set to review its disciplinary code following the incidents that attended the final match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and the backlash that attended the decisions of the disciplinary committee.  

CAF president Dr Patrice Motsepe, in a statement released this weekend, has restated the continental body’s firm commitment to safeguarding the integrity, reputation and global competitiveness of African football, following the controversial incidents that marred the Final of the Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025.

Motsepe described the scenes at the AFCON final as “unacceptable,” admitting he was “extremely disappointed” by events that detracted from Africa’s flagship football competition. While acknowledging the rulings announced on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, by the CAF Disciplinary Board, the CAF president stressed that he respects the independence of CAF’s judicial structures and will fully comply with their decisions.

“I am absolutely determined, and the CAF Executive Committee (EXCO), as well as the Presidents of our 54 Member Associations, are also determined, to maintain and advance the integrity, reputation and global competitiveness of African football and CAF competitions,” Motsepe said.

In response to the fallout from the AFCON final, Motsepe confirmed that he has convened a meeting of the CAF Executive Committee, which is the highest decision-making body in CAF outside the Annual Ordinary General Assembly.

The meeting is to conduct a comprehensive review of CAF regulations, including the CAF Disciplinary Code. The aim, he explained, is to ensure that CAF’s judicial bodies are adequately empowered to impose “appropriate and dissuasive sanctions” for serious breaches of CAF statutes, regulations and conduct that damages the image of African football.

Beyond disciplinary reforms, Motsepe highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen officiating standards across the continent. He noted that CAF has made “significant improvements” in recent years in the quality, independence and professionalism of African referees, VAR operators and match commissioners, adding that further investments, both financial and technical, will be made to elevate them to the highest global standards.

“One of the first changes I introduced as CAF President was to ensure that the CAF Referees Committee is independent and impartial, with members proposed by our 54 Member Associations and drawn from the most qualified and respected referees in Africa,” he said.

Motsepe emphasised that African match officials must not only be competent but also be widely perceived as fair, impartial and world-class.

Expressing optimism about the future, the CAF president concluded that with the new reforms and enhanced measures, African football will continue to grow in stature and credibility on the global stage.

“I am confident that African football and CAF competitions will continue to be respected, admired and counted among the best in the world,” he said.

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