CAF announces reform of the arbitration system

The Confederation of African Football announced the start of implementing a package of fundamental amendments to its statute and governing regulations, with the aim of enhancing the reliability of the arbitration body, the VAR officials and its judicial bodies.

This step comes to ensure that the unacceptable events witnessed in the final of the African Cup of Nations “Morocco 2025” are not repeated, as “CAF” seeks to restore the respect and praise that refereeing previously received in the Côte d’Ivoire edition.

The President of the Confederation of African Football, Patrice Motsepe, said that the continental body has initiated profound technical and legal reforms, including updating the criteria for selecting arena referees and VAR officials, to ensure the highest levels of accuracy.

Motsepe explained that the reforms will extend to include a comprehensive review of the method of appointing match observers, while working closely with FIFA to provide training programs that place African referees among the global elite, in addition to transforming the arbitration profession into full professionalism and improving financial compensation to ensure integrity.

Motsepe added that the changes also affected the judicial committees, as the best African judges and lawyers will continue to be appointed to the discipline and appeals committees, to ensure their complete independence.

Motsepe stressed that the Confederation of African Football has employed international legal experts to ensure that the new regulations comply with international best practices, stressing that these reforms aim to protect the credibility of African football and ensure that all member associations are treated fairly and equally, away from any favoritism or discrimination.