Ahmed Talal denounces CAF sanctions after AFCON final, calls decisions “unfair”

Moroccan journalist and media executive Ahmed Talal, director of Le7TV, has sharply criticized the disciplinary decisions issued by the Confederation of African Football following the Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 final, describing them as inconsistent, unfair, and harmful to the image of African football.

In an interview uploaded to the Le7TV YouTube channel, Talal first questioned the professionalism of CAF’s official disciplinary statement, pointing to what he described as basic errors in terminology and language.

“If you want to write an English press release, you have to use the exact English words and not French terms in an English press release,” he said, referring to the repeated use of incorrect institutional names.

Beyond form, Talal focused on the substance of the sanctions, particularly those imposed on Senegal’s head coach. CAF handed the coach a five-match suspension for unsporting conduct, a decision Talal deemed far too lenient in light of the behavior observed before and after the final.

“How can you leave 400 to 500 journalists waiting 30 to 40 minutes for a press conference with no explanation and no apology?” he asked, adding that such conduct should itself have been sanctioned.

Talal also condemned the coach’s post-match behavior toward journalists and Moroccan staff.

“You cannot insult journalists, speak in a bad manner, give them the middle finger and try to create problems,” he said. “This does not represent fair play, neither in African football nor at FIFA level.”

According to Talal, CAF ignored several serious violations when determining the punishment.

“In my opinion, he should be suspended for at least two to three years,” he stated. “He gave a very bad image of what African coaches should be, and this is what young generations are watching.”

The journalist was equally critical of the sanctions imposed on Senegalese players, notably the two-match suspension given for misconduct toward the referee.

“I don’t know if the disciplinary board watched the same game we all watched,” Talal said. “For what happened on the pitch, this should have been ten to twenty matches, not two.”

He warned that the message sent by CAF risks undermining the credibility of the competition.

“When there is an AFCON final, the whole world is watching,” he said. “Future players, referees and coaches are watching. Is this the image you want to give to African football?”

Talal also questioned the financial penalties imposed on the Senegalese Football Federation, arguing that they failed to reflect the seriousness of the incidents.

“They broke seats, chairs, publicity panels and damaged the stadium, and you fine them 300,000 dollars. This is not understandable,” he said.

In contrast, Talal rejected the sanctions imposed on Moroccan players, describing them as unjustified.

“The Moroccan national team were the victims in what happened during this final,” he said, adding that the suspensions handed to Moroccan players “do not make sense.”

Calling for a legal challenge, Talal urged the Royal Moroccan Football Federation to take the matter beyond CAF.

“I think the president of the Royal Moroccan Federation of Football should go to the Court of Arbitration for Sport,” he said. “These decisions are not fair and they do not match what actually happened during the game.”

Talal concluded with a broader warning about CAF’s disciplinary approach.

“Sadly, this is not new with CAF,” he said. “If you do not sanction these behaviors firmly, you create hooliganism and you damage the image of African football.”

Amine Edmar/le7tv