The Confederation of African Football (CAF) responsible for organizing and regulating the game of football in Africa has been under severe torrent of criticisms over the AFCON finals held in Morocco with potent comments from qualified and unqualified commentators that witnessed funny beer parlor comments.
The world waited for what CAF will rule on whether it will be judgments hatched from the cozy room of the Moroccan lords or handouts from the body ruling football in the world, Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA).
Finally, CAF did online stormy discussions and here presented is the judgment sheet from the court of CAF which may go to the football High Court which is FIFA or the Counsel For Arbitration in Sports CAS.
Read the CAF judgment sheet first.
*CAF RESOLUTIONS REGARDING THE RESULTS OF DISORDERLY CONDUCT DURING THE RECENTLY CONCLUDED
35TH EDITION OF AFCON 2025 FINAL MATCH BETWEEN HOST, MOROCCO AND SENEGAL*
■ *Morocco’s* protest to have
*Senegal* stripped off the title *REJECTED.* Senegal confirmed as champions.
*SANCTIONS* *SENEGAL*
■ *FINES*
*$300K for supporters improper conduct.
*$300K for players/staff unsporting behavior bringing the game to disrepute and
*$15K for misconduct from the five yellow cards received in the final.
*TOTAL: $615,000.00*
*SUSPENSIONS*
■ Coach Pape Thiaw suspended for 5 official CAF matches and fined $100,000 for bringing the game into disrepute.
■ Players Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr suspended for ‘2 official’ CAF matches each for unsporting behavior towards the referee.
*MOROCCO*
■ *FINES*
*$200K for stadium ball boys inappropriate behavior.
*$100K* for improper conduct of players/staff invading VAR area.
*$15K for fans’ use of lasers.
*TOTAL: $315,000.00*
*SUSPENSIONS*
■ Achraf Hakimi suspended for ‘2 official’ CAF matches for unsporting behavior. (One match suspended on probation for one year).
■ Ismael Saibari suspended for ‘3 official’ CAF matches for unsporting behavior and fined $100k.
Now, there is some slang in football jargon that is applicable to use to describe the judgment given. There is a language for football that followers should be used to like in swinger, out swinger, ricochets or spot kick. Let us look at these ones.
1. SAVE CORNER. A slang that is given for a player to be careful not to concede a corner kick to opponents who may attract a goal conceded. In this case, CAF may have left out some items not to offend some soccer lords and lose patronage or attract a cold war. The sanctions may be to reduce for a party in the case so as not to attract a corner kick. Football lovers know there are some teams or parties that are very good in set pieces and conceding a corner kick is as good as given out a penalty kick or own goal.
2. BOARD ROOM SOCCER. This is a management decision that is decided off field before or after the match. CAF for example did not give comments or sanctions on Referee’s or match officials selection which we saw affected the AFCON matches not only the particular match under review. Even the comment of the President of the CAF Referees Council is prejudice to this case because there are precedents in top continental or world football where Goalkeepers bring their towels or water bottle to put beside their net and no objection was ever raised.
What was the criteria for the issuance of financial sanctions (why was that of Senegal higher than that of Morocco)? Was it to save corner? The same applies for match suspension for example the verdict looks askew in favor of Achimi whose suspension looks hanging and not definite like others.
Why was the Moroccan football Association spared from allegations made against her for sending drones over the training of Senegal. Why was CAF silent over the allegation of lack of proper security or accommodation that was substandard? If that went into voice mail, what about the allegation that match tickets were sold to favor Morocco that Senegal was disenfranchised?
Who is responsible for sanction over Moroccan Media operators that walked out at the Press Conference leading to shouting match from other Journalists at the venue? Who is responsible for manhandling of football supporters and reported cases of death after the match?
The horrific allegations of Morocco cross carpeting to European football is equally a disservice to and embarrassing to African football. Did the video clips on that attract virus and are no more available?
As a parent body, should CAF not commend the role of Sadio Mane to restore sense through commendable leadership or it is the matter of throw the child away with the bath equipment.
Also Read:2025AFCON: CAF Snubs Osimhen in Choice of Best X1 Players, Pick Eric Chelle as Best Coach.
AFCON2025: Super Eagles Bow 1-2 to Amavubi of Rwanda in Uyo.
Board room decisions are meant to achieve corporate developmental goals. Many times the decisions are egocentric, authoritarian, selective and harsh towards perceived opponents seen as hindrance to the Emperor at the helm of affairs or the king makers who made the boss at the top.
3. HOBSON LAW. In reporting we cited the Hobson law in court that swearing in affidavit presentation or presenting ideas must be to “the truth and nothing but the truth”. Is the judgment sheet in accordance to this axiom? This writer has written in accordance to that Hobson law. Anybody can make their inferences and act but we plead not emotionally to nail Morocco or even Senegal to the cross; shout Hosanna to CAF or raise a one man riot squad (or gang effect) against CAF.
Many comments in terms of Editorials and Open Opinion (OPED) in Journalistic terms will flood the social media but we think CAF should sift the comments gathered and decide the ones that will good for football development in Africa.
Eniola Olatunji reporting for Patmos Media Line.
