CAF Appeal Board Member Denies Involvement in Senegal's AFCON 2025 Title Stripping
A member of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Appeal Board has publicly distanced himself from the controversial ruling that stripped Senegal of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title. This decision, which awarded the championship to Morocco via a walkover victory, has ignited widespread debate and procedural scrutiny within the football community.
Senegal's Title Revoked Over Pitch Walk-Off Incident
Senegal was found to have violated AFCON regulations by walking off the pitch during the final match against Morocco on March 17, 2026. According to Article 84 of the tournament rules, any team leaving the field without authorization forfeits the match. Consequently, the CAF Appeal Board declared the result as a 3-0 victory in favor of Morocco, citing breaches of Articles 82 and 84. The Teranga Lions have firmly rejected this ruling and have escalated the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) for a formal appeal.
Mohamed Robleh Djama Claims Ignorance of Decision
In a viral video shared on social media platform X, Mohamed Robleh Djama, a member of the CAF Appeal Board, stated that he was not involved in the deliberations that led to Senegal's title being revoked. Djama, who represents the Djibouti Football Association, emphasized, "I was neither present nor take part in such deliberations." His claims have been supported by Souleiman Waberi, president of the Djibouti Football Association, who has called for greater transparency regarding how the decision was reached.
An official CAF document circulating online listed the members who participated in the judgment. The Appeal Board was chaired by Justice Roli Daibo Harriman from Nigeria, with Faustino Varela Monteiro of Cape Verde as vice-chairperson. Other members included Tunisia's Moez Ben Tahar, Togo's Espoir Asogbavi Komlan, and Malawi's Masauko Timothy Msungama. Notably, Djama's name was absent from this list, raising questions about the board's composition and decision-making process.
Fan Reactions and Broader Criticism
The revelation has sparked intense reactions from football fans and analysts. On social media, user @hodmudau questioned, "The board has 9 members. Only 5 were present when the decision was taken. So surprising? Where were the others? Weren't they invited for such an important meeting?" Others, like @DrChimela, speculated about deeper issues, while @AlexandreL8519 pointed out potential procedural flaws that could undermine CAF's ruling at CAS.
Adding to the controversy, six-time African Women's Player of the Year Asisat Oshoala has criticized CAF and Morocco, asserting that Senegal remains the rightful champion. Oshoala suggested that Morocco's recognition as champions is limited to CAF's official stance, further fueling the debate over the legitimacy of the decision.
Implications for African Football Governance
This incident highlights ongoing concerns about transparency and governance within CAF. With Senegal pursuing legal action at CAS, the outcome could set a precedent for how similar disputes are handled in the future. The case also underscores the importance of adherence to procedural norms in high-stakes sporting decisions, as fans and stakeholders call for accountability and clarity from football authorities.
As the saga unfolds, the football world awaits the CAS ruling, which will determine whether Senegal's appeal succeeds or if Morocco's title stands. The controversy serves as a reminder of the complex interplay between regulations, ethics, and fan sentiment in international sports.
