The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced it will conduct a comprehensive review of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) protocols and implementation. This decision follows significant controversy surrounding the officiating in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final, which saw multiple contentious decisions.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe stated the review aims to improve consistency and transparency in officiating across the continent's competitions. The federation has not announced specific rule changes but confirmed that the review process will involve consultations with referees, football associations, and technical experts.
The 2025 AFCON final, held in Morocco, was marred by several disputed VAR interventions that affected the match's outcome. The incident prompted widespread criticism from teams, officials, and fans, leading to calls for systemic reform.
CAF has not provided a timeline for the completion of the review or the potential implementation of new guidelines. The federation emphasized that the goal is to uphold the integrity of the sport and ensure fair competition in all future tournaments.
