CAF President Patrice Motsepe addresses the decision to strip Senegal of its continental football title, emphasizing integrity and transparency amidst concerns raised about the conduct of the recent African Cup of Nations final.
In his first public appearance following the decision to strip Senegal of its continental football title, Patrice Motsepe, President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), released a video statement on social media outlining the commitment of CAF to uphold the highest standards of integrity and transparency. He highlighted the importance of judicial independence, noting that this is a principle that should not be compromised.
Motsepe's comments came in response to an appeal from Morocco concerning the final match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, during which he expressed his deep disappointment regarding the events that unfolded. He emphasized that the integrity and respect associated with the CAF's work over the years have been called into question, as the circumstances surrounding the final match contradicted the efforts made to ensure good governance and ethical conduct in the organization of football events.
The incident has raised broader issues of trust and confidence in CAF’s operations, which Motsepe described as a legacy challenge that the organization continues to contend with. He reaffirmed the commitment to address these concerns moving forward, signifying a proactive stance aimed at restoring faith in the integrity of African football governance.
