The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has strongly denied allegations that its referees committee instructed match officials to avoid penalizing the Senegalese team in the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The claims, reportedly originating from Moroccan media, suggested explosive declarations by the head of the CAF Referees Committee.
In a statement, CAF labeled the reports as "completely false and without any foundation." The continental football body emphasized its commitment to fairness and integrity in all its competitions, stating that such allegations undermine the work of match officials.
The 2025 AFCON tournament is scheduled to be held in Morocco. The controversy emerges amid the ongoing preparations for the event, which is one of African football's most prestigious competitions. CAF has urged media outlets to verify information before publication to avoid spreading misinformation.
No specific Moroccan outlet or original report containing the alleged declarations from the referees committee president was officially cited or verified by CAF in its denial. The federation maintains that all refereeing appointments and procedures follow strict protocols.
