CAF will respect decision of CAS - Motsepe on AFCON 2025 dispute

The President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Patrice Motsepe, has concluded a high-level visit to Morocco amid ongoing controversy surrounding the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final, where the hosts were ultimately declared champions following a disputed ruling.

During his visit, Motsepe held talks with Fouzi Lekjaa, President of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football, alongside senior figures in Moroccan football.

Discussions centred on the aftermath of the tournament’s most contentious match, with the CAF chief later addressing the media in Rabat.

Motsepe reiterated that CAF would abide by any ruling from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which is currently reviewing the case.

“Whatever the decision of CAS, we will respect it,” he said.

He also called for unity within African football, referencing a recent visit to Senegal where he urged supporters to stand firmly behind their national team and players.

“The speech I gave yesterday in Senegal was to say to the people of Senegal: support Sadio Mane, support Coulibaly, support the national team. They will be representing the people of Senegal, and they will be representing the people of Africa. It’s the same message I am taking to the other eight national teams,” he added.

The tensions stem from Senegal’s disqualification from the AFCON 2025 title race following a successful appeal by Morocco.

The North African nation had lodged a complaint after Senegalese players walked off the pitch and remained in the dressing room for 17 minutes in protest of a penalty decision.

Although Brahim Díaz missed the resulting spot-kick after play resumed, Pape Gueye later scored a stoppage-time winner for Senegal. However, CAF’s Appeals Jury subsequently overturned the result, awarding Morocco a 3-0 victory.

Senegal has since taken the matter to CAS, where a final ruling is expected to determine the official outcome of one of the tournament’s most disputed finals.