CAF Referees Chief Makes Stunning Revelation About AFCON 2025 Final Officiating
The Confederation of African Football's Head of Referees has made a shocking disclosure regarding the controversial 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final between Senegal and Morocco, revealing that match officials received specific instructions not to sanction Senegalese players who left the pitch during the match.
Controversial Final and Refereeing Decisions
Senegal defeated Morocco 1-0 after extra time in the AFCON 2025 final, but the match was heavily disrupted by controversy surrounding refereeing decisions. The game was particularly marred by a temporary walkout of several Senegalese players who protested after Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala awarded a controversial penalty to Morocco.
At a recent CAF executive committee meeting in Dar es Salaam, Olivier Safari, chairman of the referees' committee, reportedly confirmed that match officials had been given special directives concerning the Senegalese players who had left the field. According to GOAL reports, Safari stated: "Each Senegalese player who left the field should have been warned immediately upon returning, but we gave instructions not to do so, in order to preserve the match and avoid ending it prematurely."
Disciplinary Actions and Federation Tensions
The AFCON 2025 final had already triggered significant sanctions from CAF's disciplinary bodies:
- The Senegalese Football Federation was fined over $600,000
- Coach Pape Thiaw faced suspension
- Players including Illiman Ndiaye and Ismaïla Sarr were sanctioned for leaving the pitch
Morocco, as runner-up, had contested some of these penalties, and the new revelations about referee instructions could reignite disputes between the federations. The disclosure has raised serious questions about procedural consistency and fairness in officiating high-stakes matches.
Calls for Reform and Transparency
The revelation from CAF's referees chief has intensified scrutiny of the organization's officiating standards and procedures. According to RMC Sport, several committee members have reportedly suggested reforms to prevent similar controversies in future editions of the Africa Cup of Nations.
Key concerns raised by observers include:
- Whether the handling of the final compromised match integrity
- The need for greater transparency in refereeing decisions
- Accountability mechanisms for match officials
- Consistency in applying disciplinary measures
Senegal's Response and Future Implications
The Senegalese Football Federation has issued an official statement confirming it would not challenge the CAF ruling despite receiving heavy sanctions. The FSF stated it had "taken note of the decision" of CAF's Disciplinary Board and chosen not to appeal the sporting or financial sanctions imposed.
As AFCON continues to grow in prestige and commercial value, the outcome of these revelations could significantly influence how referees are instructed, monitored, and held accountable in major African tournaments. CAF now faces pressure to clarify the circumstances surrounding the refereeing decisions to restore confidence in its competitions and prevent diplomatic and sporting disputes from escalating further.
The controversy highlights ongoing challenges in African football governance and officiating standards, with stakeholders calling for systematic reforms to ensure fairness and transparency in continental competitions.
