The Confederation of African Football (CAF) issued an official and decisive statement, announcing the closure of the refereeing controversy that accompanied the final match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, which brought together the host Moroccan national team and its Senegalese counterpart, confirming the innocence of Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala from committing any influential errors.
This decision came after a thorough and comprehensive review of the events that took place at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, putting an end to the speculation and accusations that targeted the refereeing team after the dramatic match.
Details of the investigation and confirmation of integrity
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) Referees Committee, in its decision, affirmed that international referee Jean-Jacques Ndala officiated the match with high competence and did not commit any offense warranting punishment or disciplinary action. The committee indicated that all of Ndala's crucial decisions were in accordance with the Laws of the Game and the strict international refereeing standards.
The committee explained that the investigation process did not rely solely on the referee's report, but also included a thorough technical analysis of all controversial incidents using Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology from multiple angles, in addition to reviewing reports from match observers and expert assessors. The findings definitively concluded that there was no refereeing error that affected the outcome of the match or compromised the integrity of the continental competition.
The context of the match and the dramatic events
The final match was held on January 18 amidst a noisy crowd atmosphere and global anticipation, as the Moroccan team sought to exploit the home advantage and the crowd to win the title, while the Senegalese team fiercely defended its chances, ultimately succeeding in snatching victory with a clean goal.
The final minutes of the match witnessed the peak of excitement and tension, including pivotal events such as the cancellation of a Senegal goal at the last minute due to a foul inside the area, and the awarding of a penalty kick to Morocco in the 96th minute after a delicate contact, which sparked a wave of massive protests by the Senegalese players, leading to the suspension of play and a temporary partial withdrawal before the match resumed.
The importance of the decision and its repercussions
CAF's decision to clear Ndala reinforces confidence in the African refereeing system, especially given the significant development of football on the continent and preparations for major international tournaments. Jean-Jacques Ndala is considered one of Africa's elite referees, with the Congolese Football Federation praising his performance as "professional and outstanding" for his ability to withstand the immense pressure from the crowd in Rabat.
Despite the referee's acquittal, the African Union did not overlook the side events, as financial and administrative sanctions were imposed on the Moroccan and Senegalese federations as a result of the riots and undisciplined protests that accompanied the match. This is in line with the directives of FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who expressed his displeasure with the unsportsmanlike conduct, stressing the need to respect the referees' decisions to ensure the safety of the game.
