Senegal's Minister of Sports, Massata Samb, has issued a strong public criticism of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) following the national team's elimination from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The comments were made in response to controversial refereeing decisions during Senegal's quarter-final match against the Ivory Coast, which the Ivorians won 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
In a statement, Minister Samb described the officiating as "scandalous" and called for a thorough review of CAF's refereeing standards. He emphasized the need for greater transparency and fairness in the administration of African football. The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) had previously lodged an official complaint with CAF regarding the match officials' performance.
CAF has acknowledged receipt of the complaint and stated that it is under review by its competent bodies. The Confederation has not yet issued a formal public response to the minister's specific allegations. The incident has sparked wider debate among football stakeholders in Africa about the consistency and quality of refereeing at continental tournaments.
