The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has reiterated the independence of its judicial processes, according to its communications director Lux September.
In a clarification aimed at addressing concerns about governance and decision-making within the organisation, September outlined the structure and functioning of CAF’s legal bodies, emphasising that the president holds no direct influence over judicial rulings.
According to the statement, the CAF president does not sit on, nor have any authority within, any of the organisation’s judicial bodies. This includes the disciplinary and appeals structures responsible for handling disputes, sanctions, and regulatory enforcement across African football.
Instead, these bodies operate independently and are composed of qualified legal professionals. The Disciplinary Board and the Appeal Board, September noted, are made up of judges and lawyers tasked with ensuring that decisions are grounded in established legal principles and CAF statutes.
The organisation’s tribunals are not appointed by executive leadership but by the CAF Congress — its highest decision-making body, which includes representatives from member associations. This process is designed to reinforce institutional checks and balances, ensuring that judicial appointments are not influenced by the executive arm of CAF.
September further explained that rulings made by these bodies are communicated to all relevant parties simultaneously, including the president, who receives decisions via email after they have been finalised. This, he said, underscores the separation between governance and adjudication within the organisation.
The clarification comes amid ongoing scrutiny of football governance across the continent after Morocco were handed the 2025 Afcon trophy, striping Senegal of their title, leading to questions posed on transparency and accountability for stakeholders.
Whether these assurances will satisfy critics remains to be seen, but the organisation maintains that its systems are designed to uphold fairness and integrity in the administration of the game.
