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CAF Moves to Restore Confidence with Major Statute Reforms After AFCON 2025 Final Controversy
The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) has announced sweeping reforms to its statutes and regulations aimed at restoring trust in African football’s officiating and judicial systems following controversial incidents during the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Final.
In a statement released today, CAF confirmed that the changes are designed to strengthen confidence in referees, VAR operators, and its judicial bodies, including the Disciplinary and Appeal Boards. The reforms are also intended to prevent a repeat of the issues that marred the high-profile final in Morocco.
CAF highlighted that officiating standards had previously reached a high point during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, where referees and VAR officials earned widespread praise. The organization now aims to rebuild that level of credibility and global respect.
A key part of the reform process involves maintaining the independence and impartiality of CAF’s judicial bodies. Judges and legal experts appointed to these panels will continue to be selected from nominations by CAF’s 54 Member Associations and Zonal Unions, before approval by CAF’s Executive Committee and General Assembly.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe emphasized that the reforms are both structural and operational, covering governance, ethics, and professional standards. He noted that CAF has consulted leading African and international football legal experts to align its regulations with global best practices.
Motsepe also stressed the importance of investing in match officials, including better training in collaboration with FIFA and improved remuneration to professionalize refereeing across the continent.
Reaffirming CAF’s stance on integrity, he underscored a zero-tolerance policy toward corruption and improper conduct, alongside a commitment to fairness among all member associations.
While legal proceedings related to the AFCON 2025 final are ongoing at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, CAF says its immediate focus remains on ongoing competitions such as the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup, as well as supporting African teams preparing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
CAF expressed confidence that African nations will perform strongly on the global stage, as the organization continues its broader push to enhance the integrity, professionalism, and competitiveness of football across the continent.
