‘You Cannot Correct a Mistake with Another’: CAF Executive Member, Sobha Condemns Appeals Board Ruling on AFCON 2025
A senior member of the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) Executive Committee has strongly criticized the Appeals Board’s ruling that awarded Morocco the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy.
Speaking exclusively to journalist Osasu Obayiuwana, Samir Sobha described the decision as ‘correcting one injustice with another,’ insisting that it undermines both the credibility of the competition and the integrity of African football.
‘The decision to designate a winner based on Articles 82, 83, and 84 of the competition regulations has generated deep incomprehension and a genuine sense of injustice,’ Sobha said.
‘Correcting one injustice with another cannot be considered an acceptable response, either from a sporting or an ethical standpoint.’
Sobha questioned the handling of the final, pointing out that the referee never officially blew the final whistle while some Senegalese players had left the pitch, and no sanctions were imposed when they returned.
He argued that football’s core values, fairness, merit, and truth on the field, were compromised by an administrative ruling.
‘An injustice cannot be remedied by another decision perceived as equally unjust,’ he warned.
‘Rather than restoring balance, such a choice risks intensifying frustrations and calls for a deeper reflection on how to safeguard fairness and uphold the honor of African football.’
Sobha, alongside Senegal’s Augustin Senghor, is the only CAF Executive Committee member to publicly and frankly react to the Appeals Committee’s controversial ruling.
He concluded that the decision stemmed from refereeing shortcomings during the final and ultimately cast doubt on CAF’s leadership role in protecting the integrity of the game.
