The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has issued a firm denial following online rumors and a statement from former coach Claude Le Roy suggesting Morocco was awarded the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title "on the green carpet." CAF clarified that the tournament's winner is determined solely on the field of play.
Claude Le Roy, a French coach with extensive experience in African football, had reportedly criticized CAF, claiming there were "plenty of shenanigans" and that Morocco was declared the winner without playing the final. These claims circulated in some media outlets earlier this week.
In an official communication, CAF stated that all procedures for the 2025 AFCON, to be hosted by Morocco, are following the normal regulatory framework. The governing body emphasized that the tournament is scheduled for the summer of 2025 and no winner has been or will be decided before the matches are played.
Historical context shows that AFCON titles have occasionally been decided by walkover in the mid-20th century, but CAF's modern statutes require a winner to be crowned through competition. The next edition of the tournament is set to be the first 24-team AFCON held in Morocco.
