Changes and improvements will be made to the CAF Statutes and Regulations with accordance to CAF Referees, VAR Operators and Judicial Bodies to avoid what transpired in the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco 2025, CAF has announced.
The hosts were crowned as champions two months after investigations were carried out with Senegal being stripped off their title.
On Sunday afternoon, the Confédération Africaine de Football released a lengthey statement on how these changes will be implemented.
“The Confédération Africaine de Football (“CAF”) announced today that it is implementing changes and improvements to the CAF Statutes and Regulations that will strengthen the trust and confidence in the CAF Referees, VAR Operators and the CAF Disciplinary Board and Appeal Board. These changes and improvements will also ensure that the incidences that took place at the Final Match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (“AFCON”) Morocco 2025 do not happen again.
“The CAF Referees and VAR Operators at the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON Côte d’Ivoire 2023 received widespread praise and admiration for their excellent performances and CAF is determined to regain that respect and admiration.
“CAF will continue with the procedure and practice of appointing the best and most respected African judges and lawyers to the CAF Disciplinary Board and Appeal Board. These judges and lawyers are appointed by the CAF EXCO and the CAF Ordinary General Assembly from the names proposed and recommended by 54 CAF Member Associations and Zonal Unions. The independence and impartiality of the CAF Judicial Bodies is imperative.
The President of CAF Dr Patrice Motsepe said:
“CAF is currently implementing far-reaching changes and improvements to the CAF Statutes and Regulations, which will strengthen the trust and confidence in CAF Referees, VAR Operators, Match Commissioners and in the CAF Disciplinary Board and Appeal Board. These changes and improvements to the CAF Statutes and Regulations will also ensure that the unacceptable incidences that took place at the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON Morocco 2025 do not happen again.
“CAF has taken extensive legal advice from top African and international Football lawyers and experts, to ensure that the CAF Statutes and Regulations adhere to and implement global Football best practices, on and off the field. This is important for the respect, integrity and credibility of African Referees, VAR Operators and the CAF Disciplinary Board and Appeal Board.
“CAF is working with FIFA for the ongoing training of African Referees, VAR Operators and Match Commissioners so that they are as good as the best in the world. We must also professionalise African Referees and VAR Operators and pay them well. CAF has made significant progress over the past 5 years in implementing governance, ethics, transparency and managerial best practices.
“Our commitment to zero tolerance for corruption and improper behaviour has been recognised and rewarded by the numerous sponsors and partners that we have gained.
“What is also non-negotiable is our commitment and determination to treat each and every Member Association equally and fairly. Under no circumstances will any Member Association be treated preferentially or favoured above any other Member Association. CAF will consistently review and improve on these football and governance global best practices and strengthen the trust and global competitiveness of African Football.
“The matters relating to the incidences that took place at the final match of the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON Morocco 2025 are before CAS and the primary focus of CAF currently, is on the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup, the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League and the other CAF Competitions, CAF is also focused on working together, cooperating and supporting each of the African Nations that will be participating in the FIFA World Cup 2026 in America. We are confident that the African Nations that are participating in the FIFA World 2026 will make us proud.”
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