Patrice Motsepe arrived in Dakar late Tuesday night, welcomed by Abdoulaye Fall, President of Senegal’s Football Federation (FSF). According to a CAF statement, the continental football leader will first visit Gorée Island before meeting with Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye this morning. He is scheduled to hold a press conference at 5:30 PM local time to address pressing football administration matters, including the CAN 2025 title controversy.
a mission to mend fences
Motsepe announced in late March his intention to visit both Senegal and Morocco to emphasize the need for “collaboration in developing African football“. His visit follows intense criticism of CAF’s appeals committee decision to revoke Senegal’s CAN 2025 victory in favor of Morocco. The Senegalese Football Federation has since filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which will rule on the matter in the coming months.
addressing corruption allegations
The high-profile visit comes against a backdrop of escalating tensions. On March 18, Senegal’s government called for an international investigation into “suspected corruption within CAF’s governing bodies“. Motsepe responded by affirming that no African nation receives preferential treatment, emphasizing the independence of CAF’s disciplinary bodies.
key developments in the CAN 2025 saga
- controversial decision: Morocco awarded CAN 2025 title despite Senegal’s on-field victory (1-0 AET)
- Senegal’s response: football federation filed appeal with Court of Arbitration for Sport
- government stance: Senegal calls for international investigation into alleged corruption
- timeline: CAS ruling expected in coming months