Weah criticises CAF decision to withdraw AFCON 2025 from Senegal

Former Liberia international footballer George Weah has criticised the decision by the Confederation of African Football to withdraw the AFCON 2025 championship from Senegal and award it to Morocco.

Weah termed the move unjustified and damaging to the integrity of African football.

In a statement dated March 18, 2026, Weah argued that the outcome of the final match between Senegal and Morocco should stand, citing the authority of match officials under the FIFA Laws of the Game.

Referencing Law 5, which grants referees full authority over decisions during a match, Weah maintained that once a game is completed, its result should not be overturned by post-match decisions.

“In football, the referee on the pitch is the final authority. Once the match is completed, the result obtained on the field must stand,” he said.

Weah noted that in the disputed final, the referee allowed play to continue after a walk-off by Senegal, and the match was concluded, including extra time, with a result recorded on the field.

He added that the referee’s post-match report described the incident as a stoppage rather than a forfeiture, recommending sanctions for infractions committed during the game.

According to Weah, any subsequent ruling by CAF committees should not override decisions made during the match, warning that such actions risk setting a dangerous precedent.

“Football must be decided on the pitch, not re-decided after the final whistle,” he said.

He cautioned that allowing administrative bodies to overturn on-field decisions could erode confidence in the sport.

He further described the decision as a travesty that has scarred and blemished African football, undermining trust in fairness and consistency across the continent.

Weah called on the Court of Arbitration for Sport and other relevant authorities to intervene and ensure the decision is reviewed.

He also dismissed circulating social media claims suggesting he supports the CAF disciplinary ruling against Senegal, terming them false and urging those sharing such content to desist.

Earlier, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (RMFF) commended the ruling by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to take the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) title from Senegal and award it to Morocco, saying it complied with international competition standards.

The federation reiterated its stance on demanding strict application of football regulations following the incidents that occurred during the final match between Morocco and Senegal, which led to its suspension.

RMFF defended CAF’s decision, saying it was not aimed at undermining the performance of the Senegal team but to ensure sports integrity.

“The aim of this step was not to challenge the sporting performance, but rather to demand respect for the laws and ensure the integrity and fairness of the competition,” RMFF said.

The federation confirmed that it had appealed to CAF’s Disciplinary Committee for intervention, and the confederation agreed that the applicable football laws had not been respected.

It further defended its moral position that it has always followed the settlement of competition-related disputes within the applicable legal framework.