CAF President Open to Corruption Probe
Patrice Motsepe, who was re-elected as president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for a second four-year term in March last year, has expressed his willingness to support an investigation into corruption within the organisation.
Last month, the Senegalese government called for such an investigation following the decision by a CAF appeals board to strip Senegal of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title. The trophy was subsequently awarded to Morocco, who were Senegal's opponents in the final.
Senegal is currently awaiting the outcome of an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) regarding the matter.
During a visit to Senegal on Wednesday, Motsepe met with President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and senior officials from the Senegalese football federation.
"I welcome any investigation [into corruption at CAF], whether it is by a government or an authority or anybody," Motsepe said at a news conference in Dakar.
"Because any corruption in CAF we want to know about it and we will take action ourselves, immediately.
"We have a duty to our people in Africa. If any government or institution [wants to], please go ahead, conduct the investigation.
"We will give you all the co-operation. In fact, I encourage you."
Morocco Awarded AFCON Title After CAF Appeal Decision
The CAF appeals board ruled on 17 March that Senegal forfeited the AFCON final held in Rabat on 18 January. This followed an incident where several Senegalese players walked off the pitch in protest against a penalty awarded to Morocco during second-half stoppage time.
After a delay of approximately 17 minutes, the Senegal team returned to the field. The penalty kick, taken by Brahim Diaz, was saved, and Senegal initially won 1-0 after extra time.
The appeals board's decision to overturn the result and award the title to Morocco has caused a crisis of confidence within African football's governing body. Subsequently, Veron Mosengo-Omba resigned as CAF's general secretary on 29 March.
Motsepe stated, "I have zero tolerance of corruption in any walk of life, describing it as worse than Covid and cancer."
"Whilst I am president of CAF we will never conceal any corruption," he added.
"It is the biggest problem, not just in football. I have been told there have been lots of problems in the past [with corruption] and we intervened.
"We can't set a bad example in football, to give our children the perception that if you want to succeed in life, be corrupt.
"That's the best gift we can give football in Africa. Not just talking about corruption, but intervene, put the necessary laws [in place] and implement them."
CAF to Respect CAS Decision
Senegal's initial victory over Morocco marked their second AFCON title after their first win in 2021.
Regarding the ongoing dispute between Senegal and Morocco now before CAS, Motsepe refrained from commenting further, reiterating his prior statements that CAF will respect the court's final ruling.
"There is nothing I can tell you that I haven't said already 10, 15, 20 times," Motsepe told BBC Afrique.
"You can ask me the same question 100 times, I'll give you the same answer 100 times.
"That is the duty and obligation the president of CAF has. He has to wait until the decision of CAS, which is the highest decision-making body in football in the world.
"We have to implement that decision."
Additionally, Motsepe addressed the issue of 18 Senegalese fans who were imprisoned in Morocco following disturbances at the AFCON final. He stated that this matter is being handled at a diplomatic level.
After departing Dakar, Motsepe traveled directly to Morocco, where he is scheduled to meet with Fouzi Lekjaa, the head of the Moroccan football federation, as well as government officials on Thursday. He will also hold a further press conference.
