CAF president’s Dakar visit amid Senegal’s CAN 2025 controversy

The president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Patrice Motsepe, arrived in Dakar late Tuesday night, nearly a month after the controversial decision to strip Senegal of its CAN 2025 title in favor of Morocco. The move, which has sparked widespread outrage in Senegal, follows a chaotic final in Rabat where the Senegalese team briefly left the pitch in protest.

Motsepe’s visit comes as the CAF faces mounting criticism over its handling of the final, which saw Morocco awarded a 3-0 victory on administrative grounds despite losing 1-0 on the field. The CAF president announced plans to visit both Senegal and Morocco to emphasize the need for unity in developing African football.

Upon arrival at Blaise Diagne International Airport, Motsepe was greeted by Abdoulaye Fall, president of the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF). His itinerary includes a visit to Gorée Island, a historic site symbolizing the transatlantic slave trade, before meeting with Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. A press conference is scheduled for 5:30 PM local time at a Dakar hotel.

Government demands transparency

The CAF’s decision has triggered strong reactions in Senegal, where the government has called for an international investigation into alleged corruption within the CAF’s leadership. The controversy stems from a highly disputed final where Senegalese players protested an injury-time penalty awarded to Morocco, which was ultimately missed in extra time.

On March 17, the CAF Appeals Jury declared Senegal “forfeited” in the final, citing articles 82 and 84 of the competition’s regulations. The Senegalese Football Federation received the decision three weeks later and has since appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), though no hearing date has been set.

The CAF has maintained that no country receives preferential treatment, emphasizing the independence of its disciplinary bodies. However, the controversy has deepened divisions and raised questions about the integrity of African football’s governing body.