‘Towel not part of goalkeeper’s equipment’: CAF referee committee chief defends Morocco ball boys

Olivier Safari, President of CAF Referees Committee, has defended Moroccan ball boys involved in controversial retrieval of towels belonging to opposing goalkeepers at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Ball boys were caught on camera picking Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali’s towel during the semi-final of the tournament in Rabat against the Atlas Lions.

Likewise in the final, the ball boys were sighted struggling with a steward for the towel belonging to Senegal goalkeeper, Edouard Mendy.

Afterwards, Morocco captain Ashraf Hakimi, was also sighted throwing Mendy’s towel into the area behind the digital perimeter board meant for photojournalists.

The issue has since become a subject of debate.

However, Safari, who spoke to Canal+ Sport Afrique, emphatically said towels should be kept away from goalkeepers, to “eliminate influence, including both psychological gamesmanship and traditional beliefs”.

He said towels should no longer be allowed inside the goalposts, adding that match officials are empowered to remove “the items if they are discovered on the field”.

“The towel must be kept away from a goalkeeper who shouts and influences the game and it is not considered part of any player’s equipment,” he is quoted as saying.