Confederation of African Football (CAF) is facing growing scrutiny after its Appeals Board overturned the result of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final between Senegal and Morocco, awarding Morocco a 3-0 win. The decision followed a ruling that Senegal had forfeited the match due to misconduct.
Reacting to the development, sports law expert Pius Ndubuokwu says the outcome raises serious questions about how CAF’s judicial bodies operate. He believes key provisions of the AFCON regulations, specifically articles 82 and 84, may not have been correctly applied.
Ndubuokwu argues that the situation points to deeper structural issues within CAF’s legal system. He says there is an urgent need to strengthen the capacity of those serving on judicial panels, particularly through proper legal training. He also stresses that appointments should be more transparent and include qualified legal professionals.
“This is the right time for CAF to invest in its judicial structures,” he says, adding that national football bodies across Africa should also take similar steps to improve governance and decision-making.
–ChannelAfrica–
