Weah CAF AFCON decision criticism as George Weah calls for review of CAF ruling awarding Morocco title after Senegal’s controversial forfeiture
African football icon and former Liberian President, Mr George Manneh Weah, on Thursday, March 19, 2026, issued a strong rebuke of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in Monrovia, Liberia, over its decision regarding the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final, in what has intensified debate around the Weah CAF AFCON decision criticism.
Weah reacted after CAF’s Appeal Board stripped Senegal of the 2025 AFCON title and awarded it to Morocco following a petition and a controversial ruling that declared Senegal had forfeited the final after allegedly abandoning the pitch during a chaotic match.
The decision effectively overturned the original 1-0 result and replaced it with a 3-0 walkover victory in favour of Morocco, a move that has triggered widespread reaction across the football community.
In his statement, Weah insisted that football outcomes must be determined strictly on the pitch, warning that post-match administrative rulings risk undermining the integrity of the sport.
He further urged the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and other relevant authorities to intervene, calling for urgent action to ensure what he described as a “travesty” does not stand.
“The subsequent decision by the CAF committee, taken after the match had already been concluded, should not override the authority exercised by the referee during the game,” Weah stated.
“Football must be decided on the pitch, not re-decided after the final whistle.”
The controversy has also drawn reactions from key figures in African football, including Senegal forward Sadio Mané, who criticised CAF’s ruling and questioned the fairness of the process.
The development continues to spark debate among fans, analysts and former players, with many calling for clearer regulations governing match abandonment and disciplinary rulings in continental competitions.
