Patrice Motsepe backs CAF judicial independence

Motsepe, who plays no part in the judicial bodies’ ruling, was reacting to the shocking decision by the CAF Appeal Board to strip Senegal of its second Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) crown and award it to Morocco. 

This arm of the CAF judicial body awarded Morocco a 3-0 victory in the AFCON final after ruling that Senegal had forfeited the match for misconduct. 

In a video circulated by CAF last night, Motsepe goes further to explain the processes used to select members who serve on these judicial bodies.

"Another important matter that these incidents at the final match brought to the fore is the independence and the respect of our judicial bodies. In choosing the members of our judicial bodies we followed a different path,” Motsepe said. 

“Different from what had been the case before, we invited each member association and we invited every zone, the six regional areas or the six zones in CAF to give us names of respective judges and respected lawyers because it is important that the decisions of our disciplinary board, the CAF disciplinary board and the decisions of the CAF appeals board is viewed with the integrity that is very important to us. 

“So, if you look at the composition of those bodies, they reflect some of the most respected lawyers and judges on the continent."

Motsepe has faced significant backlash worldwide, blamed for the decision of the CAF Appeal Board. 

In January, the CAF Disciplinary Committee (DC) decisively rejected Morocco’s protest seeking to overturn the AFCON final, confirming that Senegal remain champions and that no aspect of the 2025 AFCON final result will be altered. 

But the other arm, the CAF Appeal Board, ruled otherwise. 

Motsepe says this shows the independence of these bodies and that they respect Senegal’s decision to challenge this decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

"The independence is reflected by the decisions that were taken by these bodies. The CAF disciplinary board took one decision, the CAF appeals board took a totally different position and I'm told that Senegal is gonna appeal which is very important,” he added.

“Everyone of the 54 nations in Africa have a right to pursue appeals not only at the highest level in Africa, in CAF but also the highest body which is the CAS. We will adhere and respect the decision that's taken at the highest level."