The president of the football federation of Ivory Coast Yacine Idriss Diallo has dismissed a “false information” regarding a statement widely circulated online concerning the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) recent decision to strip Senegal of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) title.
The denial comes amid a wave of misinformation spreading across social media and some media platforms following CAF’s controversial ruling to withdraw the title from Senegal and award it to Morocco.
After similar incidents involving Guinea, Diallo has now moved to clarify its position.
In recent days, an alleged statement attributed to the Ivorian federation president began gaining traction online. The message appeared to offer a personal opinion on CAF’s decision, suggesting support for Senegal’s claim to the title. It read: “Senegal won the cup. They proved they were the best team in Africa, that’s all.”
However, the federation president, Diallo, has firmly rejected the statement, describing it as entirely fabricated. In a message posted on his official communication channels, Diallo sought to distance himself from the claims and urged the public to exercise caution when consuming information.
“It is with deep dismay that I became aware this morning of statements attributed to me regarding CAF. I want to make it clear that I have made no statement or comment about the decisions of CAF commissions. Therefore, this post is pure manipulation and constitutes false information. I urge everyone to be vigilant and to rely solely on my official channels for any communication concerning me,” Diallo wrote.
The CAF ruling has already generated significant debate among fans, analysts, and officials across the continent, creating fertile ground for rumours and false reports.
While the governing body’s decision continues to provoke discussion, football authorities are increasingly being forced to respond not only to the ruling itself but also to misinformation circulating alongside it.
The Ivorian federation’s swift response appears aimed at preventing further confusion and maintaining the credibility of its leadership.
As reactions to CAF’s decision continue to unfold, officials across African football are likely to remain vigilant against similar cases of misrepresentation, with calls growing for supporters and media alike to rely on confirmed and official statements.
