72 hours after CAF’s decisions, Patrice Motsepe speaks out again against Senegal
Three days after the announcement of disciplinary sanctions related to the incident during the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations 2025 final, the president of the African Football Confederation (CAF), Patrice Motsepe, has spoken out once more. His statement once again drew attention to the events that marred the tournament’s final match, indirectly targeting Senegal, the main player in this affair.
During the final between Senegal and their opponent, several incidents disrupted the smooth running of the match. Inappropriate behaviors and disputed decisions led to sanctions from CAF. However, Patrice Motsepe seems to emphasize that these events did not just tarnish the competition’s image but reveal a broader issue concerning ethics and match integrity.
In his speech, Motsepe expressed his dissatisfaction with the attitudes that, in his view, have tarnished the image of African football. He stressed that CAF would no longer tolerate such misconduct and would take all necessary measures to uphold the respect and integrity of competitions on the continent. Although he did not directly mention Senegal, it is clear that his remarks echoed the incidents that occurred during this final, where unsportsmanlike behaviors were widely discussed.
The CAF president also insisted that the African Confederation would not allow disruptive actions to undermine the spirit of fair play and solidarity that should prevail in African football. For him, the image of the competition is paramount, and CAF authorities will implement deterrent sanctions against any team or individual engaging in such behaviors.
Finally, Patrice Motsepe reminded everyone that CAF must protect the integrity of competitions and ensure that every team participates under conditions of absolute fair play. He concluded by announcing that a stricter monitoring system would be put in place to guarantee the smooth running of upcoming competitions.
This statement has once again placed Senegal at the center of the controversy, and it is now clear that CAF intends to take firm measures to prevent such situations in the future.
