Patrice Motsepe has finally addressed African football’s biggest storm. The CAF president confronted the Senegal-Morocco final scandal with measured but firm words. He insisted the Appeals Board acted independently and followed competition rules.
The controversy exploded after Senegal beat Morocco 1-0 in extra time in Rabat. However, the match had already descended into chaos before that winning goal arrived. Senegal players briefly left the pitch after Morocco received a stoppage-time penalty. Although Morocco missed the penalty, Senegal later lifted the trophy on the day.
Motsepe Defends the Appeals Board
Motsepe said many people struggle to trust football institutions across the continent. Even so, he defended the integrity of CAF’s legal structures. He stressed that respected legal professionals serve on both the disciplinary and appeals bodies.
Therefore, he rejected suggestions that Morocco received special treatment from CAF leadership.
At the same time, Motsepe acknowledged the anger now burning in Senegal. He recognised that the decision shocked many supporters across Africa. Nevertheless, he maintained that rules must apply equally to all 54 member associations. That message formed the heart of his response to the scandal.
How the Final Was Overturned
Initially, CAF’s disciplinary board punished both federations with fines and suspensions. Yet that first ruling did not alter the match result. Later, the Appeals Board ruled Senegal had forfeited the final. It said the team left the field without the referee’s authorisation. As a result, Morocco were awarded a 3-0 victory and the title.
That reversal created outrage because Senegal had already celebrated the trophy publicly. For many observers, the boardroom decision overshadowed what happened on the pitch. Still, Motsepe urged calm while insisting legal processes must run their course.
Senegal’s Fight Is Not Over
Motsepe also welcomed Senegal’s decision to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. He said every nation deserves fairness, justice, and a proper hearing. Meanwhile, Senegal’s federation has condemned the ruling as unacceptable and unprecedented. So, this saga now moves from the stadium to the courtroom.
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The post ‘It’s a legacy issue’: CAF president Patrice Motsepe on Senegal-Morocco scandal (video) appeared first on iHarare News.
