In a strongly worded statement reflecting a turning point for continental governance, CAF President, Dr. Patrice Motsepe, has reaffirmed his “uncompromising determination” to protect the integrity and global reputation of African football.
Motsepe’s remarks follow a period of intense scrutiny following the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament, tagged Morocco 2025. He admitted the event was marred by “unacceptable incidences” during its final stages.
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Reacting to the decisions released by the CAF Disciplinary Board on Wednesday, January 28th, 2026, Motsepe signalled that the current framework for punishment may no longer be sufficient.
While expressing his respect for the independence of CAF’s judicial bodies, he announced an immediate move to strengthen their enforcement powers.
“I am absolutely determined and the CAF Executive Committee (EXCO), as well as the CAF Member Association Presidents, who represent 54 African Countries; are also determined, to maintain and advance the integrity, reputation and global competitiveness of African Football and CAF Competitions,” Motsepe said.
“I was extremely disappointed with the unacceptable incidences that took place at the Finals of the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON Morocco 2025. I have taken note of the decision of the CAF Disciplinary Board which was announced on Wednesday, 28 January 2026, and I respect and will adhere to every decision of our CAF Judicial Bodies.”
“I have called a meeting of the CAF Executive Committee (EXCO), which is the highest decision-making body in CAF, outside the CAF Annual Ordinary General Assembly; to review the CAF Regulations, including the CAF Disciplinary Code,” he added.
“To ensure that the CAF Judicial Bodies have the power to impose appropriate and dissuasive sanctions for serious violations of the CAF Statutes, Regulations, Disciplinary Code and for behaviour and conduct that seriously undermines or harms the reputation, integrity, respect and global competitiveness of African Football and CAF Competitions.”
“We have, over the past few years, significantly improved the quality, integrity, independence, skills and expertise of African referees, VAR operators and match commissioners.”
“We are determined to allocate additional financial and expert technical resources to ensure that the quality, integrity, impartiality, skills and expertise of African referees, VAR operators and match commissioners, are as good as the best in the world,” the CAF president said.
“One of the first changes that I introduced when I became President of CAF was to ensure that the CAF Referees Committee is independent, impartial and consists of members who were proposed by the 54 CAF Member Associations, as well as the best qualified and respected referees in Africa.”
“It is very important that African referees, VAR operators and match commissioners are perceived, respected and acknowledged as being impartial, fair and world class.”
“I am confident that with the additional changes and extensive measures that we are introducing, African Football and CAF Competitions will continue to be respected, admired and amongst the best in the world,” he concluded.
For Motsepe, the global competitiveness of CAF competitions is linked to how they are perceived by the international community. The “unacceptable” events in Morocco have clearly served as a catalyst for these upcoming structural changes.
The upcoming EXCO meeting is expected to produce a revised Disciplinary Code that will set a much higher bar for conduct among players, officials and member associations alike.