Urge Dr. Motsepe to resign as CAF president
The Issue
How do we restore credibility for African football? On 17 March 2026, the CAF Appeal Board stripped Senegal of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title — two months after they won it on the pitch — and handed the trophy to Morocco via a 3–0 administrative ruling. It is the first time in the history of global football that a tournament champion has been decided retrospectively by a governing body.
The facts of the final matter. Senegal's players left the pitch in protest after a controversial stoppage-time VAR penalty was awarded to the hosts. Senegal returned. Morocco missed the penalty. The game went to extra time. Senegal won 1–0 through a Pape Gueye goal. The CAF Disciplinary Board initially upheld the result and fined both teams.
The Appeal Board, acting on Morocco's appeal, then overturned all of that. This, despite the same process confirming that Morocco's federation was fined for crowd members directing lasers at players, for ball-boy interference, and for officials being hounded during the VAR review. The host nation's fans and officials contributed to the chaos — and the host nation still received the title.
"This decision is a travesty that rests on no legal basis. We felt the panel was not there to apply the law, but to carry out an order."
— Abdoulaye Seydou Sow, Secretary General, Senegalese Football Federation
Senegal plans to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. But this cannot simply be a legal matter between two federations. The question is whether African football's governing body can be trusted to make decisions free of political and commercial influence—especially when the host nation stands to benefit.
African football is too important, too talented, and too beloved to be governed this way.
We are calling for:
Full transparency in how CAF disciplinary and appeals panels are constituted — including who sits on them and how decisions are reached
An independent review of the AFCON 2025 appeals process before any CAS proceedings, conducted by parties with no interest in the outcome. Consistent enforcement of regulations that cannot be seen to advantage host nations or powerful federations.
Structural reform that places the game — not politics or commercial interests — at the centre of every decision CAF makes
A championship should be won on the pitch. Not in a boardroom, two months later. What happened on 17 March 2026 sets a precedent that every future AFCON participant — and every African football fan — should be alarmed by.
The game belongs to the people. It is time leadership reflects that.
If you believe in fairness, accountability, and a future where African football reaches its true potential ...
Sign this petition and share it widely.
2
The Issue
How do we restore credibility for African football? On 17 March 2026, the CAF Appeal Board stripped Senegal of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title — two months after they won it on the pitch — and handed the trophy to Morocco via a 3–0 administrative ruling. It is the first time in the history of global football that a tournament champion has been decided retrospectively by a governing body.
The facts of the final matter. Senegal's players left the pitch in protest after a controversial stoppage-time VAR penalty was awarded to the hosts. Senegal returned. Morocco missed the penalty. The game went to extra time. Senegal won 1–0 through a Pape Gueye goal. The CAF Disciplinary Board initially upheld the result and fined both teams.
The Appeal Board, acting on Morocco's appeal, then overturned all of that. This, despite the same process confirming that Morocco's federation was fined for crowd members directing lasers at players, for ball-boy interference, and for officials being hounded during the VAR review. The host nation's fans and officials contributed to the chaos — and the host nation still received the title.
"This decision is a travesty that rests on no legal basis. We felt the panel was not there to apply the law, but to carry out an order."
— Abdoulaye Seydou Sow, Secretary General, Senegalese Football Federation
Senegal plans to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. But this cannot simply be a legal matter between two federations. The question is whether African football's governing body can be trusted to make decisions free of political and commercial influence—especially when the host nation stands to benefit.
African football is too important, too talented, and too beloved to be governed this way.
We are calling for:
Full transparency in how CAF disciplinary and appeals panels are constituted — including who sits on them and how decisions are reached
An independent review of the AFCON 2025 appeals process before any CAS proceedings, conducted by parties with no interest in the outcome. Consistent enforcement of regulations that cannot be seen to advantage host nations or powerful federations.
Structural reform that places the game — not politics or commercial interests — at the centre of every decision CAF makes
A championship should be won on the pitch. Not in a boardroom, two months later. What happened on 17 March 2026 sets a precedent that every future AFCON participant — and every African football fan — should be alarmed by.
The game belongs to the people. It is time leadership reflects that.
If you believe in fairness, accountability, and a future where African football reaches its true potential ...
Sign this petition and share it widely.
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Petition created on 18 March 2026