The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is set to assess the performance of referees across its competitions during an Executive Committee meeting scheduled for Sunday, March 29, in Cairo, Egypt.
The review will focus on referees, Video Assistant Referee (VAR) operators and match commissioners, following increasing criticism of officiating decisions in recent continental tournaments.
The move by CAF signals an attempt to address concerns and restore confidence in the integrity of its competitions.
In recent months, refereeing standards have come under intense scrutiny, particularly during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final.
The match between Morocco national football team and Senegal national football team ended in controversy after Morocco were awarded a late penalty.
The decision sparked a dramatic reaction from Senegal, whose players walked off the pitch for 17 minutes in protest.
Although the game eventually resumed, Morocco’s Brahim Díaz missed the resulting spot kick. The incident has since become a focal point in debates over officiating standards in African football.
Further criticism emerged during the semi-final clash between Morocco and Nigeria, where Ghanaian referee Daniel Laryea faced accusations of favouring the North African side.
While no formal sanctions were announced, the controversy added to growing concerns about consistency and impartiality among match officials.
Beyond AFCON, questionable decisions have also been reported in ongoing CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup matches.
Clubs, players and supporters have raised concerns about key calls, further intensifying pressure on CAF to act decisively.
The upcoming review is expected to examine not only individual performances but also broader structural issues, including the use of VAR and the role of match commissioners in ensuring fair play.
CAF is understood to be keen on identifying gaps in officiating standards and implementing measures to improve decision-making across its competitions.
For African football, the credibility of refereeing remains central to the integrity of the game.
Repeated controversies risk undermining trust among teams and supporters, particularly at a time when the continent is seeking to strengthen its global football reputation.
CAF’s deliberations in Cairo are therefore seen as a critical step towards rebuilding confidence.
By addressing concerns around officiating and reinforcing standards of impartiality, the governing body hopes to ensure that results are determined by performances on the pitch rather than contentious decisions.
As discussions take place, stakeholders across the continent will be watching closely, with expectations high that concrete actions will follow to improve the quality and transparency of refereeing in African football.
