The African Football Confederation (CAF) announced on Sunday the commencement of extensive changes and improvements to its statutes and regulations, aimed at enhancing trust in referees, video assistant referees (VAR), and its judicial bodies.
These measures are being implemented to prevent the recurrence of events witnessed during the final match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, which is currently under review by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Details of the Event
CAF confirmed in a statement on its official website that it is determined to restore the respect and admiration that referees and VAR officials earned during the Ivory Coast 2023 edition, emphasizing the ongoing approach of appointing the best and most respected African judges and lawyers to its disciplinary and appeals committees.
These legal professionals are selected by the Executive Committee and the General Assembly based on nominations from 54 national federations and regional associations, with a strong emphasis on the independence and neutrality of the judicial bodies as an essential requirement.
Background & Context
In a related context, Patrice Motsepe, the President of CAF, stated: "CAF is currently implementing far-reaching improvements to ensure that unacceptable events that occurred in the Morocco 2025 final do not happen again. We have sought extensive legal consultations from top experts and international lawyers to ensure our regulations adhere to the best global practices in football."
Motsepe added that the Confederation is working with FIFA to continue training referees and match officials to elevate their standards to a global level, focusing on the professionalism of refereeing and providing them with good salaries.
Impact & Consequences
Motsepe also stressed the principle of "zero tolerance" for corruption or inappropriate behavior, which has positively influenced attracting numerous sponsors and partners over the past five years.
The CAF President affirmed that the commitment to treating all member federations fairly and equally is non-negotiable, as no preferential treatment will be granted to one federation at the expense of another under any circumstances.
Regional Significance
These reforms come at a sensitive time for African football, as CAF seeks to enhance its credibility amid the challenges facing football on the continent. The current focus is on the success of the African Champions League and the Confederation Cup, in addition to supporting African teams participating in the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, expressing confidence in their ability to honor the African continent.
In another context, Veron Mosengo-Omba announced his resignation from the position of Secretary General of CAF after five years in office, with Nigerian Samson Adamu temporarily taking over.
The Swiss-Congolese official, who left his position at FIFA to assume the role of CAF Secretary General in 2021, explained that his resignation is aimed at "focusing on personal projects."
CAF had announced in January 2025 that the Swiss Attorney General decided to halt investigations against Mosengo-Omba after "finding no facts or legal basis to initiate legal proceedings" following allegations he faced regarding financial misconduct.
In a statement published on social media, Mosengo-Omba said: "Now that I have managed to dispel the doubts that some have made great efforts to cast upon me, I can retire with peace of mind and without constraints, leaving CAF more prosperous than ever."