CAF Announces Major Reforms to Statutes and Regulations

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has initiated significant structural reforms to its Statutes and Regulations to boost confidence in refereeing, VAR operations, and its judicial bodies, including the Disciplinary Jury and Appeal Committee. These measures are specifically intended to prevent the recurrence of unacceptable incidents witnessed during the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 final.

Key points

• Reforms aim to enhance the credibility of African referees and VAR operators, restoring respect seen during the Côte d'Ivoire 2023 tournament.
• CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe confirmed the implementation of structural adjustments based on expertise from specialized sports law jurists.
• The process includes collaborating with FIFA to strengthen continuous training for referees and match commissioners to meet global standards.
• CAF will continue appointing experienced and respected African judges and lawyers to its Disciplinary Jury and Appeal Commission.
• The changes also focus on professionalizing African refereeing and ensuring appropriate remuneration for these essential personnel.

Why it matters

These reforms signal a commitment by CAF leadership to uphold integrity and credibility in African football governance following controversial incidents in a recent major tournament final.