Olivier Safari Kabene clarifies the placement of towels near the goals in African competitions

This statement has sparked controversy in Africa. In the aftermath of the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, which was marked by the theft of goalkeepers' towels by Moroccan ball boys and some players, the president of the Referees' Committee of the Confederation of African Football gave a clear opinion.

In an interview on Canal+, Olivier Safari said that towels should be removed from the pitch if they influence the game. "This is an issue that organisers must take into consideration in future competitions. Towels are not part of a player's or goalkeeper's equipment. When a goalkeeper carries a towel, it must be in a sporting manner and with greater fair play. As soon as he starts shouting or influencing the game, I think that towel should be removed from the playing area," said the president of the CAF Referees Committee.

Olivier Safari's statement follows incidents involving the theft of towels from Nigerian goalkeepers Stanley Nwabali and Senegalese Edouard Mendy during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, held in Morocco from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026.