The unexplained disappearance of Olivier Safari has raised fresh concerns about governance and transparency within the Confederation of African Football.
Safari, who headed CAF’s referees’ committee, is reported to have vanished from his role without any formal announcement or documentation confirming his departure.
The lack of clarity surrounding his status has left officials within the organisation uncertain about his position.
The issue came to light through CAF executive committee member Augustin Senghor, who revealed that there is no official record explaining Safari’s exit.
Internally, his absence is acknowledged, but no formal communication has been issued, further deepening the mystery.
The ambiguity surrounding Safari’s disappearance is compounded by questions over how he was appointed. Senghor indicated that the Congolese official’s rise to the role did not follow standard administrative procedures, stating it was done “by word of mouth,” outside any recognised regulatory framework.
Such claims have intensified concerns about internal processes at CAF, with critics pointing to a lack of transparency in both appointments and departures within key structures of African football governance.
Safari’s tenure had already been clouded by controversy prior to his disappearance.
During an executive committee meeting, he reportedly admitted to intervening with referee Jean-Jacques Ndala during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final between Senegal and Morocco, asking him not to abandon the match under disputed circumstances.
The revelation added to existing criticism surrounding the management of refereeing decisions at continental level.
He was also linked to the widely discussed “napkins” incident, which sparked backlash across Africa due to perceptions of bias in its interpretation.
These controversies have continued to follow his legacy, even as his whereabouts remain unknown.
The absence of a clear process, both in his appointment and departure, has raised questions about accountability and institutional oversight.
His disappearance now leaves a gap at the top of CAF’s refereeing structure at a time when the organisation is already facing scrutiny over major decisions, including those linked to the Africa Cup of Nations.
As of now, there has been no official statement from CAF addressing Safari’s situation, leaving African football stakeholders awaiting clarity on both his status and the broader implications for the organisation’s leadership and governance.
