Controversy continues to swirl around African football’s highest governing body after the Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) controversially awarded the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title to Morocco on technical grounds. The decision, made two months after the final, has left the Senegalese national team—winners of the match on the pitch—preparing to challenge it at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Behind the scenes, a senior figure in the appeals process has come forward with explosive claims. In an exclusive interview, Faustino Varela Monteiro, vice-president of the appeals commission, revealed he was the sole dissenting voice against the ruling that stripped victory from the Lions of Teranga.
« I fundamentally disagree with this decision », he stated, calling it a clear miscarriage of justice. He argued that the match referee allowed the game to continue to its conclusion, implying no abandonment had occurred. « To later interpret events differently undermines the very foundation of fair play. »
« Accepting that a match outcome can be retroactively altered after full completion contradicts the principle of definitive results. The sport loses all credibility when decisions made on the field are second-guessed without compelling evidence of bias or procedural misconduct. »
Internal dissent challenges CAF’s authority
The revelation raises serious questions about the integrity of the disciplinary process within the CAF. Monteiro stressed that the CAS will not entertain appeals against in-game decisions unless there is clear proof of arbitrary or malicious intent. « The TAS does not re-examine match outcomes. It reviews decisions, not playing results. »
On January 18 in Rabat, Senegal secured a dramatic 1–0 victory over Morocco in extra time, with Pape Gueye scoring the decisive goal. However, the match was temporarily halted after Moroccan players protested a late penalty awarded to them. Brahim Díaz saw his spot-kick saved, preserving the Senegalese triumph. Yet the CAF has since ruled that the interruption constituted an abandonment, nullifying the result.
