CAF Tightens Rules After Chaotic 2025 AFCON Final

The Confederation of African Football has announced a major overhaul of its competition regulations following the chaotic aftermath of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final in Morocco.

CAF president Patrice Motsepe admitted that shortcomings in officiating and match management contributed to the controversy that engulfed the tournament finale and sparked widespread criticism across the football world.

The dramatic final in Rabat initially ended with Senegal national football team being crowned champions after a tense 1-0 extra-time victory over Morocco national football team.

However, the outcome was later overturned by CAF’s Appeals Board, which awarded the title to Morocco after disciplinary proceedings linked to Senegal’s walk-off protest over a late VAR penalty decision.

The final descended into confusion and controversy, with reports of security disturbances inside the stadium further tarnishing the occasion.

Additional allegations of unsporting behaviour — widely dubbed “Towelgate” — also emerged after claims that Senegal’s goalkeeper was distracted and interfered with by ball boys and members of the opposition bench during crucial moments of the match.

Speaking to BBC Sport Africa on Wednesday, Motsepe acknowledged that the governing body’s internal review had exposed significant operational failings.

“We have recognised the deficiencies that led to the unfortunate incidents in Morocco,” Motsepe stated.

“We have now introduced new laws and regulations to ensure such situations do not happen again.”

The CAF president revealed that the reforms would focus heavily on improving officiating standards, strengthening VAR governance and ensuring greater consistency in refereeing decisions across African competitions.

According to him, the integrity and credibility of African football must remain paramount.

“African football must be judged by the highest standards of fairness, professionalism and integrity,” he added.

The controversy surrounding the final has generated intense debate internationally, with former Nigel Reo-Coker criticising the situation and warning that the incident had damaged the image of African football globally.

Reo-Coker argued that the chaos surrounding the final had handed critics an opportunity to mock both CAF and the continent’s flagship football competition.

Meanwhile, the Senegalese Football Federation has continued to reject CAF’s ruling, describing the decision to strip Senegal of the title as “a robbery”.

The federation has already escalated the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, where a final verdict is still pending.

Motsepe confirmed that CAF would fully respect the outcome of the legal process once the court delivers its ruling.

CAF said the newly introduced measures would cover enhanced security coordination, stricter disciplinary frameworks and clearer operational guidelines for the use of VAR technology in major competitions.

The governing body hopes the reforms will restore confidence in African football administration and prevent a repeat of the disorder that overshadowed one of the most controversial AFCON finals in recent memory.