By Onoja Baba, Nigeria
Former Liberian President and Ballon d’Or winner George Weah has strongly criticized the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for overturning Senegal’s on-field victory in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final against Morocco, describing the move as a “travesty” that undermines the integrity of African football.
In a detailed statement released on Thursday, Weah argued that CAF’s Appeal Board wrongly awarded the title to Morocco on a 3-0 forfeiture after Senegal’s brief walk-off protest during the match, despite the game being completed under the referee’s authority.
Weah emphasized that FIFA’s Laws of the Game (Law 5), which CAF follows, grant the referee full and final authority during play, with decisions on facts connected to the match being irreversible once the game concludes.
He noted that the referee allowed the match to resume after Senegal’s walk-off, enabling it to proceed through extra time with Senegal securing a 1-0 win on the pitch. The referee’s post-match report recorded only a temporary stoppage, not a forfeiture, and recommended sanctions for infractions rather than nullifying the result.
“There is therefore no sporting justification to nullify a match that was completed in accordance with the referee’s authority and the Laws of the Game,” Weah stated, warning that such post-match committee interventions set a dangerous precedent where off-field officials could override on-pitch rulings on penalties, offsides, or red cards.
He lamented that the decision has “scarred and blemished African football,” eroding confidence in its fairness and consistency, and called on the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and other authorities to intervene decisively to reverse what he called an unjust ruling.
Weah also addressed misinformation, clarifying that circulating social media posts falsely claiming he supported CAF’s Disciplinary Committee decision against Senegal were “blatantly false.”
He urged those sharing his image with such claims to stop immediately.
The controversy stems from CAF’s March 17 ruling upholding Morocco’s protest over alleged breaches during the chaotic final, prompting widespread debate and Senegal
‘s announced appeal.
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