CAF Rocked by Refereeing Crisis: Committee Head Sparks AFCON Final Controversy After Senegal Players' Walkout

The Executive Committee meeting of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Friday witnessed unprecedented tension, amid escalating internal criticism over the fallout from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco. This included refereeing controversies and disciplinary decisions that drew the dissatisfaction of several members. According to Egyptian journalist Mohamed Said, who is close to CAF insiders, discussions were highly intense, with several officials expressing their anger over the handling of sensitive issues recently.

Regarding the refereeing sector, proposals were put forward for radical changes within the Referees Committee, following controversial errors during the tournament. During his intervention, the head of the Referees Committee, Congolese Safari, revealed his intention to appoint a new technical director, after the decision not to renew confidence in Malian Mamadou Haidara. He affirmed his desire to bring in new talent to restructure the committee and enhance its work in the upcoming phase.

Safari surprised attendees when he addressed the events of the final match, noting that Senegal players who had left the field before returning should have been cautioned. However, he stated that the committee chose not to take this step to avoid complicating the match proceedings and to ensure its continuity until the end. He also admitted during the meeting that he was not sufficiently familiar with most of the referees who participated in the tournament, implying that the selection of refereeing crews was made at a higher administrative level, without his direct supervision.

Executive Committee members also criticized the head of the Referees Committee for certain appointments, including assigning the same referee who officiated the opening match to also lead the final. This was considered an ill-advised decision, especially as such high-stakes encounters require diverse and highly experienced crews. The session also included a direct reprimand for Safari regarding his media statements, with members reminding him of the necessity to maintain discretion during this sensitive period.