Patrice Motsepe, President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), has pledged to respect the decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) regarding the disputed 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title, which was controversially awarded to Morocco by CAF’s Appeals Committee.
Motsepe made the announcement on Wednesday, April 9, during a visit to Senegal, 22 days after CAF’s decision to strip the Teranga Lions of their 2025 AFCON victory. The Appeals Committee had awarded Morocco a 3-0 scoreline despite losing 1-0 on the pitch, citing the Senegalese team’s withdrawal from the final.
The March 17 CAF ruling sparked strong reactions in Senegal, with the government calling for an international investigation into “suspicions of corruption within the leading bodies” of the African confederation. Subsequently, the Senegalese Football Federation filed an appeal with CAS.
Speaking during his Senegal visit, Motsepe emphasised that the disputes arising from the final have now been referred to CAS and that CAF will abide by the body’s ruling. He highlighted that his visit aimed to strengthen ties with Senegal’s football leadership, government, and people, and to reassure stakeholders that CAF’s priority remains the development of football across Africa.
Motsepe is scheduled to deliver a similar message during his visit to Morocco on the same day, a move seen as part of a diplomatic effort to ease tensions surrounding the ongoing legal battle over the 2025 AFCON title.