WeeklySA_AdminVisit: Patrice Motsepe visited Senegal and Morocco amid severe backlash over the caf appeal board’s decision…
By Lehlohonolo Lehana and Monk Nkomo
Confederation of African Football (CAF) president, Patrice Motsepe has announced that he would welcome an investigation into allegations of corruption within the organization.
This comes after Senegal’s government last month demanded an investigation into alleged corruption after the country was stripped of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title by the CAF Appeal Board which awarded the trophy to the losing finalists, Morocco.
Motsepe visited Senegal this week where he met President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and leading officials from the country’s football federation.
“I welcome any investigation into corruption at CAF, whether it is by a government or an authority or anybody,” Motsepe said at a news conference in Dakar. “Because any corruption in CAF we want to know about it and we will take action ourselves, immediately. We have a duty to our people in Africa. If any government or institution wants to, please go ahead, conduct the investigation. We will give you all the co-operation. In fact, I encourage you.” The matter between Senegal and Morocco was now before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Motsepe said he would respect whatever decision CAS made on Senegal’s appeal and it would be implemented.
Motsepe also visited Morocco this week and met with the President of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF), Fouzi Lekjaa, as well as various members of the wider football community in Morocco.
The visit to both countries followed the decision by CAF’s Appeal Board to strip Senegal of the AFCON title despite their 1-nil victory over Morocco after it ruled that Senegal lost the game because they had left the field for nearly 15 minutes after disputing the referee’s decision to award a penalty to Morocco.
This decision triggered a severe backlash throughout the football fraternity with many labelling it the most disgraceful decision and a travesty of justice and an unprecedented blow to African football.
The Senegalese government and Football Federation called for an independent international investigation into CAF’s governing structures.
Secretary general of the Senegalese Football Federation, Abdoulaye Seydou Sow, called the ruling ‘’ a shame for Africa’’. He added : ‘’ This decision is a travesty that rests on no legal basis . We believe the panel was not there to apply the law but to carry out an instruction.’’
Another analyst was quoted in The Guardian saying the CAF ruling was against the laws of the game and cast another shadow over Patrice Motsepe’s stewardship as president.
Some analysts and former CAF officials also voice concern that overriding a match result two months later set a dangerous president, undermining the finality of the referee’s decisions and causing discredit to African football.
Critics argued that because the match was allowed to finish, retroactive forfeiture was a ‘’ bungle by CAF officials.’’
While the matter is set to be argued before court, Morocco’s national Captain, Achraf Hakimi has thrown the spanner in the works by publicly rejecting the title through boardroom decisions declaring that Senegal were the true champions. ‘’ My mother told me to reject this trophy’’, he was quoted as saying.
The Senegal Football Federation has since lodged a complaint with the Court of Arbitration for Sport to reverse the decision and award their national team the title.
In papers submitted to CAS, their lawyers submitted that the fact that the referee allowed the game to continue meant the game played to its finality and even went into extra time with Senegal scoring the solitary goal.
Critics have suggested that delayed decisions and inconsistent rulings could damage the credibility of major tournaments.
Although the final was filled with tension and excitement, the aftermath had now shifted attention away from the game and toward deeper concerns about transparency, accountability and consistency within African football’s top governing structures.
The CAS has since confirmed receipt of papers from lawyers representing the Senegalese Football Federation in which they argued their case.
