Former Liberian president and football legend, George Manneh Weah, has strongly criticised the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for its decision to withdraw the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title from Senegal and award it to Morocco, calling the ruling a “travesty” that undermines the integrity of African football.
In a statement released on March 18, Weah argued that the decision violates the core principles of the sport, which dictate that matches must be decided on the field of play under the authority of the referee.
Citing Law 5 of the FIFA Laws of the Game, which CAF applies in all its competitions, Weah stressed that “the referee has full authority to enforce the Laws of the Game in connection with the match to which he has been appointed, and his decisions on facts connected with play are final.” He argued that this law ensures fairness and consistency in football and protects the sport from post-match administrative interference.
Weah highlighted that during the AFCON final between Senegal and Morocco, the referee allowed the game to continue despite a walk-off by the Senegalese team. The match was completed, including extra time, and a result was obtained on the pitch. The referee’s post-match report only recorded a stoppage and recommended sanctions for any infractions, but did not declare a forfeiture.
“For this reason, the subsequent decision by the CAF committee, taken after the match had already concluded, should not override the authority exercised by the referee during the game,” Weah said. He warned that allowing administrative bodies to overturn match outcomes after the final whistle risks creating a precedent where committee officials could nullify on-field decisions such as penalties, red cards, or offside calls, eroding the credibility of football.
Weah described the CAF ruling as having “scarred and blemished African football,” noting that it undermines confidence in the fairness, consistency, and integrity of the game on the continent. He called on the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and other relevant authorities to act decisively to ensure the decision is reviewed and justice is upheld.
The former Ballon d’Or winner, who was also a three-time African Footballer of the Year, clarified that he does not support CAF’s disciplinary ruling against Senegal. He condemned the circulation of social media posts falsely attributing such support to him, describing them as “blatantly false” and urging the public to refrain from spreading misinformation.
Weah concluded that football must remain a sport decided on the pitch, under the authority of referees, and warned that ignoring these principles threatens the integrity of African football and the global game.
This statement adds to growing criticism of CAF’s handling of the 2025 AFCON final, which has drawn widespread debate among football fans, former players, and sports commentators across the continent.
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