The President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Dr Patrice Motsepe, has defended the independence of the organization’s disciplinary structures following widespread criticism over Senegal’s removal as 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) champions.

In a video statement released on Wednesday, Motsepe emphasized the need to respect the rulings of CAF’s Disciplinary and Appeals Boards.

“It is important that the decisions of our Disciplinary Board and Appeals Board are viewed with respect and integrity,” he said. “If you look at the composition of those bodies, they reflect some of the most respected lawyers and judges on the continent.”

The controversy erupted after Senegal defeated Morocco 1-0 in the January final, a match that saw a 17-minute walk-off by the Senegalese team in protest against a late penalty awarded to Morocco. CAF later overturned the result, citing breaches of its disciplinary code.

Motsepe acknowledged that the ruling has triggered intense debate but maintained that CAF’s disciplinary bodies operate with the highest legal standards in African football.

He also noted that restoring public confidence in the organization’s decisions remains an ongoing challenge.

Senegal has confirmed its intention to appeal the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in the coming days, keeping the debate over the 2025 AFCON title unresolved for now.