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Motsepe Defends Decision To Strip Senegal Of AFCON Title<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
Sports Correspondent -The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has overturned Senegal\u2019s on-field victory over Morocco, awarding the North Africans a 3\u20130 win following disciplinary proceedings stemming from the controversial final.<\/p>\n
The CAF board ruled that Senegal forfeited the match after head coach Pape Bouna Thiaw led a protest against a late penalty awarded to Morocco. In the heat of the moment, Thiaw instructed his players to briefly leave the pitch before captain Sadio Man\u00e9 intervened and restored order.<\/p>\n
Despite the disruption, Morocco\u2019s Ibrahim D\u00edaz stepped up to take the penalty, which was saved by goalkeeper \u00c9douard Mendy. Senegal went on to secure a 1\u20130 victory after extra time during play.<\/p>\n
However, CAF\u2019s ruling on Wednesday nullified that result, instead awarding Morocco a 3\u20130 win due to the breach of regulations.<\/p>\n
CAF president Patrice Motsepe, speaking publicly for the first time since the decision, defended the integrity of the organization\u2019s judicial process.<\/p>\n
\u201cI previously expressed my extreme disappointment with the incidents that took place in the final,\u201d Motsepe said. \u201cThe important thing about what happened in that final is that it undermines the good work CAF has done over many years to ensure integrity, respect, ethics, governance and the credibility of the results of our football matches.\u201d<\/p>\n
Motsepe acknowledged longstanding concerns around officiating and governance within African football, noting that efforts have been made to improve trust in referees and match officials.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I became president, one of the major concerns was the impartiality, independence and respect of referees and match commissioners. A lot of good work has been done, but there continues to be suspicion because it\u2019s a legacy issue,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He added that the incident has also brought attention to the importance of maintaining independent and respected judicial bodies within CAF structures.
Following the ruling, the Senegal Football Federation confirmed it will challenge the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m told Senegal is going to appeal, which is very important,\u201d Motsepe said. \u201cEvery one of the 54 countries has a right to appeal not only at CAF but also at the level of CAS, and we will respect the decision taken at the highest level.\u201d<\/p>\n
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