CAF Under Fire as Moroccan Club Rejects Controversial AFCON 2025 Referee for Champions League Final

Moroccan club AS FAR has officially lodged a complaint with the Confederation of African Football (CAF), demanding the removal of referee Jean-Jacques Ndala from their upcoming CAF Champions League final first leg against Mamelodi Sundowns.

The highly anticipated match is set for May 17 in Pretoria, but the focus has shifted to the controversy surrounding the officiating. Citing concerns over Ndala's impartiality and recent performances, AS FAR has formally requested his immediate replacement for the crucial encounter.

This move comes shortly after CAF had already replaced the initially assigned referee, Amin Mohamed Omar of Egypt. Mamelodi Sundowns had raised objections to Omar's appointment, citing potential regional bias due to his proximity to the Moroccan club.

AS FAR's objections are rooted in Ndala's officiating history, particularly during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final. The club highlighted an incident where Senegal's players allegedly left the field on their coach's orders without receiving any disciplinary action, raising questions about the referee's consistency.

Adding to their concerns, the club noted that Ndala was not selected by FIFA for the upcoming World Cup, which they interpret as a reflection of his standing in international officiating.

Despite the formal protest, CAF has reportedly stood by its decision, viewing Ndala's appointment as a show of confidence in the official despite past scrutiny. However, with both finalists now having successfully or unsuccessfully challenged the appointed referees, the confederation is under significant pressure.

CAF must now decide whether to stand firm with Ndala or appoint a third official for the high-stakes final, a decision that will be closely watched by the African football community.