CAF chief defends overturned AFCON final amid Morocco-Senegal dispute

Capital FM Kenya

Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Patrice Motsepe held a press conference in Cairo on Sunday addressing the Africa Cup of Nations final crisis, after Morocco were declared winners of the 2025 tournament following CAF’s decision to overturn the result of the final.  "There may be decisions that are taken by the CAF judicial bodies which I personally may not be excited about, and in fact, which I may not agree with at all as a football spectator," Motsepe said.  "But as the president of CAF, I have a duty to make sure that the independence and the integrity and the credibility of our judicial bodies are respected," he added.  He stated that CAF is clear on the need to follow its statutes and regulations, as well as those of FIFA.  The President also announced that Senegal had been given the money, including 10 million Sengo, along with the trophy.  otsepe emphasised that the matter is now before CAS (Court of Arbitration for Sport) adding, "Whatever decision is taken by CAS, we will respect that."  Senegal had initially beaten Morocco 1-0 in the final on 18 January. The match was disrupted when Senegalese players refused to continue after a stoppage-time penalty was awarded with the score level.  Following a 17-minute delay, play resumed; Brahim Diaz missed the penalty, and Pape Gueye scored the extra-time winner.  However, CAF’s appeal board later ruled that Senegal had forfeited the match. A statement said the result would be recorded as a 3-0 victory for Morocco.  The Senegalese Football Federation has announced it will appeal the decision to CAS, describing it as 'an unfair, unprecedented and unacceptable decision' that 'brings discredit to African football.'  The ruling followed an appeal by the Moroccan football association, which CAF confirmed was upheld after being declared admissible.  Follow us on: WhatsApp cutt.ly/WhatsAppCFM https://twitter.com/capitalfmkenya/ https://www.facebook.com/capitalfmkenya https://www.instagram.com/capitalfmkenya  Subscribe to Capital FM News for More: https://goo.gl/um4AGk  98.4 Capital FM 93.0 Western Kenya 98.5 Nakuru and Nyeri 104.5 Malindi 102.7 Garissa 103.9 Meru 106.5 Kitui 104.9 Voi  #CapitalFmKenya

Transcript

00:00Please, that side.

00:05So these are just a few rules of engagement that I would like.

00:09These changes and improvements will also ensure that the incidences that took place at the

00:16final match of the Total Energy's CAF, Africa Cup Nations, Morocco 2025, do not happen again.

00:23In some instances, will any member association be treated preferentially?

00:27But what we want to overemphasize is that matter is before CAAS, which is the highest decision-making

00:37body for football in the world.

00:40We will respect and implement whatever decision is taken by CAAS.

00:51And, you know, there may be decisions that are taken by the CAF judicial bodies, which

00:58I personally may not be excited about.

01:02And, in fact, which I may not agree with at all as a football spectator.

01:08But as the president of CAF, I have a duty to make sure that the independence and the integrity

01:17and the credibility of our judicial bodies are respected.

01:21The president of African Soccer, who was a great pioneer for African football.

01:25I'm sad to hear.

01:26We are very clear.

01:28We have to follow the CAF and FIFA statutes and regulations.

01:32And we've given Senegal the money.

01:37And 10 million, Senegal.

01:39We've given them the money and we've given them the trophy.

01:42And, of course, Morocco is appealing.

01:46We are very clear in our position as far as CAF is concerned.

01:51Whatever decision is taken by CAAS, we will respect that.

01:54The regulations of CAF not obeyed to the letter.

01:59The media said the CAF president supports a decision.

02:06I respect the decision.

02:10Whether I agree or disagree, whether I like it or not, it's irrelevant.

02:14I respect it and I've got to implement it.

02:17Place at the final match of the Total Energies CAF, Afcon, Morocco 2025.

02:21We will be giving a message to say we are with you.

02:24We support you.

02:26And we're all Africans.

02:28And we love the people of Senegal and have a deep partnership with the football leadership.

02:36I will then go to Morocco to give the same message.

02:40And very proud of you, Samson.

02:43Shukran.

Category

Transcript

Comments

Recommended