Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) President Patrice Motsepe stated on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, that no African country is treated in a "preferential" manner by the continent's football governing body. He made the remarks while praising the "independence" of CAF's disciplinary structures.
The comments follow a disciplinary decision announced on Tuesday, March 17, regarding the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. The CAF Disciplinary Board ruled that the Algeria vs. Botswana match, originally scheduled for March 2025, was forfeited. Algeria was awarded a 3-0 victory after Botswana failed to report for the match, a decision based on the applicable regulations.
Motsepe's statement appears to address perceptions of bias, emphasizing that all member associations are subject to the same rules and procedures. He reiterated CAF's commitment to fair play and institutional integrity across all competitions.
