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CAF to Review Disciplinary Code After AFCON 2025 Final Controversy
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is set to review its Disciplinary Code following the incidents that marred the final match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and the backlash that followed the decisions of the CAF Disciplinary Committee.
CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe, in a statement released over the weekend, restated the continental body’s firm commitment to safeguarding the integrity, reputation and global competitiveness of African football, in the wake of the controversial scenes that overshadowed the AFCON Morocco 2025 final.
Motsepe described the events at the final as “unacceptable,” admitting he was “extremely disappointed” by developments that detracted from Africa’s flagship football competition. While acknowledging the rulings announced on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, by the CAF Disciplinary Board, the CAF president stressed that he respects the independence of CAF’s judicial structures and will fully comply with their decisions.
“I am absolutely determined, and the CAF Executive Committee (EXCO), as well as the Presidents of our 54 Member Associations, are also determined, to maintain and advance the integrity, reputation and global competitiveness of African football and CAF competitions,” Motsepe said.
In response to the fallout from the AFCON final, Motsepe confirmed that he has convened a meeting of the CAF Executive Committee, the highest decision-making body of CAF outside the Annual Ordinary General Assembly.
According to him, the meeting will conduct a comprehensive review of CAF regulations, including the CAF Disciplinary Code, with the aim of ensuring that CAF’s judicial bodies are properly empowered to impose “appropriate and dissuasive sanctions” for serious breaches of CAF statutes, regulations and conduct that tarnish the image of African football.
Beyond disciplinary reforms, Motsepe also highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen officiating standards across the continent. He noted that CAF has made significant improvements in recent years in the quality, independence and professionalism of African referees, VAR operators and match commissioners, adding that further financial and technical investments will be made to elevate officiating to the highest global standards.
“One of the first changes I introduced as CAF President was to ensure that the CAF Referees Committee is independent and impartial, with members proposed by our 54 Member Associations and drawn from the most qualified and respected referees in Africa,” he said.
Motsepe emphasised that African match officials must not only be competent but must also be widely perceived as fair, impartial and world-class.
Expressing optimism about the future, the CAF president concluded that with the proposed reforms and enhanced measures, African football will continue to grow in stature and credibility on the global stage.
“I am confident that African football and CAF competitions will continue to be respected, admired and counted among the best in the world,” he added.
