…Liberia Icon, Weah Congratulates Morocco
The president of the Confederation of African Football, Patrice Motsepe, has thrown his support behind the body’s Disciplinary and Appeals Committees following their contrasting rulings on the controversial Africa Cup of Nations final involving Morocco and Senegal..
CAF’s Appeals Committee on Tuesday overturned the earlier decision of the Disciplinary Committee and awarded the 2025 AFCON final to Morocco, a ruling that has further intensified debate across the continent.
Reacting to the development, Motsepe expressed disappointment over the events surrounding the final but reaffirmed confidence in CAF’s judicial structures.
Motsepe said “I have been informed of the CAF Appeals Committee’s decision regarding the appeal submitted by Morocco concerning the Africa Cup of Nations final. I have already expressed my deep disappointment regarding the events that occurred during that final match,” .
He noted that the incident undermines years of effort by CAF to strengthen integrity, ethics, and credibility in African football.
The South African added “The important point is that what happened in that match undermines the good work that CAF has done for many years to ensure integrity, respect, ethics, good governance, and the credibility of our match results,” .
Motsepe also highlighted ongoing concerns about trust and transparency within African football administration, describing them as “legacy issues” the current leadership continues to address.
“When I became president, one of my main concerns was the impartiality, independence, and respect for referees and match officials. Much good work has been done, but there is still persistent doubt because it is a long-standing issue,” he explained.
The CAF boss further defended the independence of the organization’s judicial bodies, noting that their composition reflects a diverse selection of respected legal professionals from across the continent.
He affirmed “ Every one of the 54 African nations has the right to pursue its appeals, not only within CAF but also at the highest body, the Court of Arbitration for Sport. We will abide by and respect the decision that will be made,”.
Motsepe concluded by stressing CAF’s commitment to fairness and equality among its member nations. “No country in Africa will be treated preferentially or given any advantage.
He added that restoring public confidence remains a priority, emphasizing the need for fans across the continent to view CAF’s decisions, referees, and match officials as fair, impartial, and unbiased.
…Liberia Former President, Weah Backs Morocco
Former Liberian president and football icon George Weah has thrown his weight behind Morocco in the ongoing controversy surrounding the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final..
Reacting to the decision of the Confederation of African Football Appeal Committee, which overturned the initial outcome and awarded the title to Morocco following Senegal’s forfeiture, Weah stated that justice had prevailed.
The former Ballon d’Or winner emphasized that the rules of the game are clear when it comes to match abandonment, insisting that any team that walks off the pitch cannot be declared winner.
“If you want the truth, whoever leaves the field and withdraws from the match, then returns and is considered the winner the law is clear, he is the loser,” Weah said.
“Football is not played like this. Morocco defended its right and obtained it, so congratulations to them on the title.”
The ruling has continued to generate mixed reactions across the football world, with stakeholders divided over the interpretation of the laws governing match forfeiture.
However, Weah’s comments add significant weight to the argument supporting Morocco’s claim to the title.
