Rabat – President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Patrice Motsepe, pledged that the continental body is addressing the “deficiencies” after Senegal’s controversial walk-off from the AFCON final against Morocco.
“We’ve done good work in terms of building the confidence and the trust amongst the football community of our referees and of our VAR,” Motsepe told BBC Sport Africa.
He acknowledged there are still challenges. “We’ve recognized what the deficiencies were that led to the unfortunate incidents we had in Morocco. We introduced new laws, new regulations which will ensure that doesn’t happen again,” he added.
January 18 marked one of the most controversial moments in the history of the AFCON after Senegal’s walk-off caused chaotic scenes and violence at the Prince Moulay El Hassan stadium in Rabat.
Senegal left the pitch after their coach, Pape Thiaw, incited them to leave in protest over a legitimate penalty awarded to Morocco.
The walk-off caused a stoppage of over 15 minutes in the game, changing the course of the match and the Atlas Lions’ performance. Senegalese fans also caused controversy after attacking security guards with seats and causing damage inside the stadium.
A Moroccan court sentenced 18 Senegalese fans to prison terms ranging from one to three years in prison.
After initial sanctions involving both Senegal and Morocco, CAF decided to award the AFCON final to the Atlas Lions by forfeit.
After Morocco’s appeal, CAF decided that Senegal breached the tournament’s regulations.
Senegal rejected the CAF decision and took the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
According to Motsepe, African football emerged from the AFCON “stronger than ever before.”
Recent measures by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) have strengthened Morocco’s AFCON case against Senegal.
IFAB and FIFA recently approved a new disciplinary rule allowing referees to issue straight red cards to players who leave the pitch to protest against a referee’s decision.
The change was approved on April 28 and will officially come into force at the upcoming FIFA World Cup.
