What Guardiola, Weah said about CAF’s decision on 2025 AFCON title

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola and African football legend George Weah have criticised the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for stripping Senegal of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title and awarding it to Morocco.

Guardiola described the decision as “a surprise’’ while Weah warned that overturning completed matches sets a dangerous precedent for the sport.

CAF annulled Senegal’s 1–0 victory in the final of the competition, citing a breach of Articles 82 and 84 following the team’s walk-off in protest of a stoppage-time penalty decision.

The match was subsequently recorded as a 3–0 forfeit in favour of Morocco.

Guardiola joins a growing list of prominent figures questioning the ruling, including Ahmed Hossam Mido, Roger Milla, among others.

“It’s a surprise,” he said. “I don’t have a proper opinion because I don’t know the reason why. I didn’t read, didn’t see.”

The Spaniard suggested such decisions are often made away from public scrutiny.

“But it’s a decision made behind the scenes. What happens everywhere is what we see; it’s not now, it always happens behind the scenes, and you don’t see their faces.”

Also decrying the decision, Weah said: “There is no sporting justification to nullify a match completed under the referee’s authority.

Otherwise, we risk a slippery slope where committee decisions override on-field calls.”

The former AC Milan forward further stated that the ruling undermines the integrity and credibility of African football, raising concerns over fairness and consistency.

He also called on the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to intervene and ensure the decision is reviewed.

“Football must be decided on the pitch, not re-decided after the final whistle,” Weah stressed, urging authorities to act decisively so that “this travesty does not stand.”