CAF Insider: Motsepe Quietly Urging Morocco to Drop AFCON Dispute
Behind the official statements and legal filings, CAF president Patrice Motsepe is reportedly applying quiet pressure on Morocco to walk away from the AFCON 2025 controversy — before the Court of Arbitration for Sport makes it worse for everyone.
That is the claim from a CAF insider who told Pulse Sports that Motsepe is working back channels to defuse the crisis. “Motsepe has to put pressure on Morocco to withdraw the original complaint, so this case can end,” the source said.
The background: Senegal beat Morocco 1-0 in the AFCON final in Rabat on January 18, but walked off the pitch mid-game to protest refereeing decisions. CAF’s appeal board later stripped Senegal of the title on a 3-0 forfeit ruling and awarded the trophy to Morocco. Senegal immediately appealed to CAS in Switzerland.
Now Motsepe is in a bind. He publicly backed the appeal board decision. But an insider says he privately knows the optics are damaging. Reversing course, the source warns, would need intervention at the highest level — likely from King Mohammed VI himself.
“It is very clear to me Motsepe will have to show leadership to find a solution,” the insider said. CAS has yet to set a timeline for its verdict. Until it does, African football stays in limbo.