The Confederation of African Football has announced a series of new regulations aimed at preventing a repeat of the controversy that marred the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final in Morocco.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe admitted that shortcomings in officiating and match management contributed to the chaotic scenes that followed the final in Rabat.
The highly disputed encounter initially ended with Senegal being declared champions after edging hosts Morocco 1-0 in extra time. However, the outcome was later overturned by CAF’s appeal board, which awarded the title to Morocco after disciplinary rulings connected to Senegal’s protest walk-off following a late VAR penalty decision.
The final also sparked outrage over security breaches inside the stadium, while allegations of unsporting conduct further intensified tensions. One of the major talking points from the game was the so-called “towelgate” incident, where Senegal’s goalkeeper was allegedly distracted by ball boys and members of the opposing team during crucial moments of the match.
Speaking to BBC Sport Africa on Wednesday, Motsepe disclosed that CAF had conducted an internal assessment of the incidents and identified several weaknesses in the handling of the final.
“We’ve done good work in terms of building the confidence and the trust amongst the football community of our referees and of our VAR,” Motsepe said.
“But there are still these challenges, and we’ve recognised what the deficiencies were that led to the unfortunate incidents we had in Morocco.
“We’ve introduced new laws, new regulations which will ensure that doesn’t happen again.”
According to the CAF president, the organisation remains committed to improving officiating standards and ensuring greater consistency in the use of Video Assistant Referee technology across African competitions.
“We are continuing to improve the system, because African football must be judged by the highest standards of fairness and integrity,” he added.
The fallout from the final has continued to dominate conversations in global football circles, with many critics accusing CAF of mishandling the situation and damaging the credibility of African football.
Former footballer Nigel Reo-Coker criticised the handling of the crisis, saying it exposed African football to ridicule on the international stage.
“It gives other federations around the world an opportunity to laugh at CAF, to laugh at the Africa Cup of Nations, and laugh at Africa as a continent because of how this whole situation has been handled,” he said.
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Meanwhile, the Senegal Football Federation has continued to challenge the decision to strip the country of the title, describing the ruling as “robbery.”
The federation has since taken the matter before the Court of Arbitration for Sport, with a final judgment still being awaited.
Motsepe stressed that CAF would abide by whatever verdict emerges from the legal proceedings.
“We are waiting for the judgment of the Court of Arbitration for Sport, and African football is continuing to grow and develop,” he said.
“Whatever decision comes, we will respect and implement.”
CAF stated that the newly introduced measures would focus on tighter VAR governance, enhanced stadium security coordination, and clearer disciplinary guidelines aimed at avoiding future controversies in major continental tournaments.