Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has questioned the transparency surrounding the Confederation of African Football’s decision to award Morocco the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title, describing the development as surprising.
Guardiola’s reaction followed reports that CAF’s appeal board ruled in favour of Morocco after determining that Senegal had forfeited the tournament’s final, a decision that came after a protest by the Moroccan football federation.
In a post shared on X by Fabrizio Romano on Friday, Guardiola expressed uncertainty over how the verdict was reached.
“Pep Guardiola on AFCON verdict: “It’s a surprise! I don’t know the reason… but it’s a decision made behind-the-scenes.
“What happens everywhere is what we see, it’s not happened, it always happens behind the scenes and you don’t see their faces.”
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His remarks add to growing concerns among stakeholders about the level of openness in decision-making processes within major football competitions, including the Africa Cup of Nations.
Meanwhile, the City boss also provided an update ahead of his team’s Carabao Cup final clash against Arsenal on Sunday, confirming that second-choice goalkeeper James Trafford will start between the posts.
He said, “James Trafford will start in goal for Man City against Arsenal in the final, says Pep Guardiola. “His comments? No problem. Players can be happy, unhappy. It is what it is. Be here, do the best he can do, and after we’ll see what happens at the end of the season.”