CAF president Patrice Motsepe vows to respect CAS ruling over disputed 2025 AFCON title

President of the Confederation of African Football, Patrice Motsepe, has vowed to respect the decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport over the disputed 2025 AFCON title, which was awarded to Morocco by the body’s Appeal Committee.

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Motsepe disclosed this on Wednesday, April 9, during a visit to Senegal, 22 days after the historic decision to strip the Teranga Lions of victory in the final of the 2025 AFCON and declare Morocco the winner.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced the decision on March 17 to crown Morocco champions two months after the acrimonious conclusion to the tournament, stripping Senegal of their title for leaving the pitch.

CAF’s Appeals Committee awarded Morocco 3-0 scoreline, despite losing the match on the pitch 1-0, on the grounds that the Teranga Lions’ players withdrew from the field.

CAF’s decision sparked strong reactions inside Senegal, as the government, in a statement issued on March 18, called for an international investigation into “suspicions of corruption within the leading bodies” of the African confederation.

The Senegalese Football Federation later filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

In the wake of the legal dispute, Motsepe stated that the challenges and disputes arising from the final have been referred to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, adding that CAF will respect and implement whatever decision the body delivers.

The CAF President says his visit to Senegal was driven by a strong commitment to working closely with Senegal’s football leadership, alongside the president, the government, and the people of the nation.

He emphasised that those matters are now behind, with CAF’s priority now on developing football across the member nations and strengthening the game across the African continent.

Motsepe is expected to deliver the same message when he visits Morocco today, April 9.

The visit is believed to be a diplomatic mission to calm the atmosphere over the ongoing legal battle surrounding the 2025 AFCON title.