Published: March 23, 2026
MONROVIA — The office of former President George Manneh Weah has dismissed as “false and misleading” reports that he endorsed the Confederation of African Football’s decision to strip Senegal of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title and award it to Morocco.
The denial follows reports published March 19 by Goal.com, Goal Africa and several local outlets alleging that Weah backed the controversial CAF ruling.
In a statement issued the same day, the 1995 Ballon d’Or winner instead sharply criticized CAF’s disciplinary committee, rejecting any suggestion that he supported the decision.
Weah Criticizes CAF Decision
“Football must be decided on the pitch, not re-decided after the final whistle,” Weah said. “There is no sporting justification to nullify a match completed under the referee’s authority.”
Weah argued that referees’ decisions should remain final under the FIFA Laws of the Game, which govern CAF competitions, warning that overturning results after full time sets a dangerous precedent.
He added that the referee’s official report described Senegal’s walk-off as a temporary stoppage rather than a forfeiture and recommended disciplinary sanctions instead of nullifying the result.
Dispute Over AFCON Final
The controversy stems from the 2025 AFCON final between Senegal and Morocco, during which Senegal’s players briefly walked off the pitch in protest.
Despite the interruption, the referee allowed the match to continue, and extra time was completed with a result recorded on the field.
CAF’s disciplinary committee later ruled that Senegal’s actions warranted stripping the team of the title and awarding it to Morocco—a decision that has sparked backlash among Senegalese officials and fans and raised broader questions about governance within African football.
Call for Arbitration
Weah called on the Court of Arbitration for Sport and other relevant bodies to review the decision, aligning with growing calls from Senegalese authorities for a reversal.
He also dismissed social media claims suggesting he supported CAF’s ruling, describing them as “blatantly false” and warning against the misuse of his image.
Goal.com Report Disputed
On March 20, Goal.com published a headline claiming Weah had congratulated Morocco on its AFCON victory.
Eugene Lenn Nagbe, Weah’s chief of staff, told The Liberian Investigator that the report was inaccurate.
“The story on Goal is false. We have informed them already. Mr. Weah’s position is contained in the statement on his official page,” Nagbe said.
Broader Implications
The controversy has intensified scrutiny of CAF’s decision-making processes and could have lasting implications for trust in continental competitions.
Morocco has expanded its influence within CAF in recent years, while Senegal—one of Africa’s top-performing teams—is expected to challenge the ruling.
Weah’s response underscores his continued influence in global football and his long-standing advocacy for fairness in the sport.
What Comes Next
The AFCON title remains with Morocco for now, but Senegalese officials are preparing a formal challenge.
Weah’s office reiterated that his position remains unchanged: matches should be decided on the field, not by postgame rulings.
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