The Confederation of African Football has announced a series of major reforms aimed at rebuilding trust in referees, VAR officials, and its judicial processes following controversies from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final in Morocco.
In a statement released on Sunday, CAF said the changes are designed to prevent a repeat of the incidents that overshadowed the tournament’s finale and to reinforce the credibility of African football officiating.
CAF President, Patrice Motsepe, explained that the reforms were developed after extensive consultations with leading African and international legal and football experts, with the goal of aligning CAF’s rules with global best practices.
As part of the overhaul, CAF reaffirmed its commitment to appointing highly respected judges and lawyers to its Disciplinary and Appeal Boards. These appointments will continue to be drawn from nominations by member associations and zonal unions, with an emphasis on independence and impartiality.
Motsepe also highlighted plans to improve the quality of officiating across the continent through training and better remuneration. CAF is working closely with FIFA to enhance the skills of referees, VAR operators, and match commissioners to meet global standards.
He stressed that professionalism and integrity would remain central to the reforms, noting that CAF maintains a strict zero-tolerance stance on corruption and misconduct.
The football body further assured that all member associations would be treated fairly, with no room for preferential treatment in its operations.
CAF disclosed that disputes arising from the 2025 AFCON final are currently before the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Meanwhile, the organisation said it remains focused on ongoing competitions such as the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup, while also preparing African teams for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Motsepe expressed confidence that African nations will perform strongly on the global stage, adding that the reforms will help elevate the standard and reputation of the game across the continent.
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