CAF Moves to Prevent AFCON Final Chaos After Senegal-Morocco Controversy

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) says it has introduced new regulations aimed at preventing a repeat of the controversy and disorder that overshadowed the dramatic 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final in Morocco.

CAF President Patrice Motsepe confirmed that African football’s governing body had identified several “deficiencies” in officiating, match management, and security following the chaotic scenes that marred the tournament’s conclusion.

The 2025 AFCON final initially saw Senegal crowned champions after a tense 1-0 victory over Morocco following extra time. However, the result was later overturned by a CAF appeal board in March after Senegal’s players walked off the pitch in protest during a controversial moment late in the game.

The turning point came in second-half stoppage time, with the score still level, when Morocco were awarded a penalty following a VAR review. Senegal strongly disputed the decision, leading to scenes of confusion and confrontation as players abandoned the field in protest.

CAF later ruled against Senegal, stripping the West African side of the title and officially awarding the AFCON trophy to hosts Morocco — a decision that sparked widespread debate across African football.

The final was also overshadowed by crowd disturbances and security clashes involving supporters inside the stadium. Additional controversy erupted over what became known online as “towelgate,” after accusations that Moroccan players and ballboys repeatedly interfered with the Senegal goalkeeper’s towel during penalty preparations and breaks in play.

Speaking to BBC Sport Africa, Motsepe acknowledged that the governing body had fallen short in certain areas despite improvements made to refereeing standards and the use of Video Assistant Referee technology.

“We’ve done good work in terms of building the confidence and the trust amongst the football community of our referees and of our VAR,” Motsepe said.

“But there are still these challenges and we’ve recognised what the deficiencies were that led to the unfortunate incidents we had in Morocco.

“We’ve introduced new laws, new regulations which will ensure that doesn’t happen again.”

While Motsepe did not fully outline the new measures, CAF is expected to strengthen rules around VAR communication, player conduct during reviews, stadium security operations, and disciplinary procedures during major tournaments.

The controversy surrounding the final became one of the most divisive moments in recent AFCON history, raising fresh concerns about officiating consistency, tournament organization, and the handling of high-pressure matches in African football.

Despite the backlash, CAF officials insist the governing body remains committed to improving transparency and restoring confidence in its competitions ahead of future continental tournaments.

The incident has also reignited broader discussions about the growing influence of VAR in African football and the challenges of implementing the technology consistently across major competitions.

With the next AFCON tournament already approaching, CAF now faces increasing pressure to prove that the lessons from Morocco have led to meaningful reforms capable of protecting the integrity of African football’s biggest stage.