George Weah challenges the decision of the CAF Appeals Committee

The 1995 Ballon d’Or winner asserts that the decision by the Confederation of African Football to strip Senegal of the Africa Cup of Nations and award it to Morocco goes against the laws of the game and the integrity of football.

In a statement, George Weah reiterated that the authority of the referee on the pitch is a fundamental principle. According to him, in this final between Senegal and Morocco, the match was played to its conclusion with the referee’s approval despite the controversial circumstances cited. Consequently, the result achieved on the pitch should stand, without the possibility of being called into question after the event. For the former Liberian international, there is no sporting justification for cancelling a match concluded in accordance with the rules.

In football, the laws of the game are clear: the referee on the pitch is the final authority on decisions made during the match. Once play is allowed to continue and the match is over, the result achieved on the pitch must stand. According to the applicable rules of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), match officials have full authority during the game. In the current case of the CAF final between Senegal and Morocco, the referee allowed the match to continue after Senegal’s temporary withdrawal, and the game was completed, including extra time, with a result achieved on the pitch. Thus, the decision taken by the CAF committee after the match should not be overturned by the authority exercised by the referee during the match, in accordance with the laws of the game. There is therefore no sporting justification for cancelling a match that was concluded in accordance with the referee’s authority and the Laws of the Game, which are intended to strengthen confidence in the fairness, consistency and integrity of football on the continent.