The controversy surrounding the officiating at the end of this match goes beyond just analyzing the footage. It calls for a deep reflection to draw lessons for African refereeing. According to Malang Diedhiou, president of the Central Referees Commission of Senegal, the referee’s decisions, made in accordance with Law 5 of the Laws of the Game, must be respected and cannot be questioned once the match is over.
“I commend Pape Thiaw’s behavior,” says the former referee, noting that this reaction helped ensure a more balanced officiating afterward. In his view, this gesture served not only Senegal’s interests but also those of African football by sending a strong message for upcoming competitions.
For Malang Diedhiou, the issue lies not in the referee’s final decision but in the process that led to it. He reminds us that referee Jean-Jacques Ndala Ngambo has been trained in the use of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) since 2018. According to him, the referee could have delayed his whistle on the disallowed goal to allow for VAR intervention. The interruption of play is thus seen as a deliberate decision that limited the role of video assistance.
The former referee also points out structural dysfunctions within African refereeing organizations. He criticizes the way referees are appointed and denounces interferences that go against Article 12 of the CAF’s refereeing organization, which prohibits any interference in these choices. “I was in that commission and I know why I left. I refused the interference of certain officials in CAF appointments,” he explains.
Since the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN), the CAF’s refereeing director has been dismissed without a replacement, creating a harmful void in evaluating and monitoring referees. A new commission, made up of a president and a trio of referees all from Congo, assisted by referees who have never officiated at an AFCON, has been established. These referees, seen as favored despite their lack of experience, were appointed for the opening match and the final.
“Senegal should not be penalized for these two actions,” asserts Malang Diedhiou. However, he reminds us that the final result of the match remains unchanged: according to Law 5, the referee’s decisions, including the validated score at the final whistle, are final and unappealable.
