Afcon final 'deficiencies' dealt with - Motsepe

"Senegal were crowned winners on the night, following a 1-0 victory after extra time, but were stripped of the title by a Confederation of African Football (Caf) appeal board in March, with the trophy instead handed to the hosts. The sanction was applied because the West Africans walked off the pitch in protest after Morocco were awarded a penalty following a VAR review in second-half injury time, when the game was goalless."

"With stadium security also clashing with fans and Morocco accused of unsportsmanlike conduct over so-called 'towelgate' - a series of incidents which saw players and ballboys moving the Senegal goalkeeper's towel - Motsepe says African football's governing body has taken action. "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," the South African told BBC Sport Africa."

""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." Despite Motsepe's assurances that African football emerged from the tournament "stronger than ever before", the events in Rabat's Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium on 18 January and the subsequent move to hand Morocco the trophy have undoubtedly undermined Caf's attempts to cultivate an improved image."

Senegal won the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco after a 1-0 victory following extra time, but CAF later stripped them of the title. The appeal board imposed the sanction in March and awarded the trophy to the hosts. The decision followed Senegal walking off the pitch in protest after Morocco received a penalty after a VAR review in second-half injury time while the match was goalless. CAF also cited stadium security clashes with fans and Morocco’s alleged unsportsmanlike conduct during “towelgate,” involving incidents with the Senegal goalkeeper’s towel. CAF president Patrice Motsepe said CAF has built confidence in referees and VAR, while recognizing remaining deficiencies and introducing new laws and regulations to prevent similar incidents.

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