Patrice Motsepe has firmly backed the controversial decision by Confederation of African Football to revoke Senegal’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title, urging stakeholders to trust the integrity of the institution’s legal processes.
Speaking in a video statement released on Wednesday, Motsepe emphasized that CAF’s judicial arms operate independently and should be treated with full respect, despite the growing backlash surrounding the ruling.
“It is important that the decisions of our Disciplinary Board and Appeals Board are viewed with respect and integrity,” he said.
“If you look at the composition of those bodies, they reflect some of the most respected lawyers and judges on the continent. But we will still have to deal with this perception and concerns about integrity. It’s an ongoing issue.”
The storm stems from the dramatic final in January, where Senegal edged Morocco 1-0 in a match overshadowed by controversy.
The Senegalese team briefly abandoned the pitch for 17 minutes, protesting a late penalty decision awarded to the hosts, an incident that ultimately triggered disciplinary action.
CAF later ruled that Senegal had violated its regulations, leading to the unprecedented decision to overturn the result and strip them of the title.
While Motsepe acknowledged the intensity of the criticism, he maintained that CAF’s disciplinary and appeals mechanisms are composed of highly qualified legal minds and meet the expected standards of fairness across African football.
Still, he conceded that convincing the public of the process’s credibility remains a work in progress.
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Senegal, however, is not backing down. The federation has confirmed plans to challenge the verdict at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, setting the stage for a high-stakes legal battle that could yet reshape the outcome of the tournament.
