Weah slams CAF over AFCON 2025 decision, urges CAS intervention

Former Liberian president and football legend, George Manneh Weah, has strongly criticised the Confederation of African Football (CAF) over its decision to withdraw the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title from Senegal and award it to Morocco.

In a statement dated March 18, Weah argued that CAF’s ruling undermines the fundamental principles of football, insisting that matches should be decided on the field of play, not by post-match administrative decisions.

Citing the Laws of the Game, Weah stressed that the referee remains the final authority during a match, with powers to enforce decisions that must stand once the game is completed.

Quoting Law 5 of the FIFA Laws of the Game, he noted that “the referee has full authority to enforce the Laws of the Game… and his decisions on facts connected with play are final.”

According to him, the AFCON final between Senegal and Morocco was allowed to continue by the match referee despite a walk-off by the Senegalese team, and the game was completed, including extra time, with a result determined on the pitch.

Weah further pointed out that the referee’s post-match report only recorded a stoppage and recommended sanctions for infractions, rather than declaring a forfeiture.

“For this reason, the subsequent decision by CAF, taken after the match had already been concluded, should not override the authority exercised by the referee during the game,” he said.

The former Ballon d’Or winner warned that allowing administrative bodies to overturn match outcomes after the final whistle could set a dangerous precedent for football globally.

“Football must be decided on the pitch, not re-decided after the final whistle,” he stated, adding that such actions risk eroding the integrity of the sport.

He described CAF’s decision as a “travesty” that has “scarred and blemished African football,” raising concerns about fairness, consistency, and transparency within the continental governing body.

Weah therefore called on the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and other relevant authorities to urgently review the matter and ensure justice is served.

The former FIFA World Player of the Year also dismissed circulating social media claims suggesting he supports CAF’s decision, describing them as false and misleading.

He urged those sharing such content to desist, reaffirming his opposition to the ruling and his commitment to protecting the integrity of football in Africa.