'I'm Sick and Tired' – CAF Boss Patrice Motsepe Explains AFCON 2025 Silence Amid Growing Criticism

The Confederation of African Football president Patrice Motsepe has clarified why he has not made further public comments on the AFCON 2025 final ruling following the initial statement.

He also addressed his decision not to react to Senegal publicly displaying the AFCON 2025 trophy ahead of their friendly against Peru in Paris on March 28, choosing instead to remain restrained on the matter.

After CAF’s official ruling, which confirmed Morocco as the AFCON 2025 champions, Patrice Motsepe had previously released a video statement explaining the decision and stating that the organisation would respect the ruling of the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Since then, however, CAF has maintained silence on ongoing proceedings, with Motsepe now explaining the reasoning behind the organisation’s continued restraint.

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Patrice Motsepe, speaking during a press conference in Morocco, stated that the organisation had already issued numerous clarifications on the AFCON 2025 final ruling but felt it was increasingly unproductive to keep responding to repeated claims that he described as inaccurate and without basis.

He explained that while efforts have been made to address and correct misinformation whenever it arose, the same narratives continue to circulate despite those clarifications, making it difficult for the governing body to move beyond constant rebuttals.

Patrice Motsepe added that this ongoing cycle of repetition has led to growing frustration, as it has placed unnecessary strain on the administration’s time and focus.

He further indicated that CAF would not continue engaging in what he viewed as endless reactions to recurring accusations, choosing instead to limit further commentary on issues he considered already addressed.

“We've made lots of statements, but you must also be careful when people make all sorts of allegations which are false and unfounded, and you make a statement to correct that, but those false and unfounded allegations continue,” Patrice Motsepe shared.

“That's why I'm saying I'm sick and tired. I'm not going to keep wasting my time continuing to respond to false and unfounded allegations and accusations that are just repeated all the time.”

Patrice Motsepe further explained that CAF is required to proceed in line with established regulations and seek formal legal guidance before making any further public remarks on the matter.

He noted that CAF has a responsibility to safeguard the credibility and reputation of all 54-member associations across the continent, as well as the organisation itself, and therefore has to act cautiously while awaiting the outcome of proceedings at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Motsepe stated that, although he has held previous media briefings where extensive comments were made, he fully respected the independence of the press and their right to scrutinise and critique CAF’s actions.

However, he emphasised that his primary responsibility is to ensure that the organisation consistently operates within legal and ethical boundaries, in line with CAF and FIFA statutes, while maintaining the integrity and dignity of African football.

“I’ve had two big press conferences like this, and we've said many things, but I respect the independence of the media. You must make whatever comments and make whatever criticisms you deem appropriate,” Patrice Motsepe said.

“My job is to make sure that at all times we are acting legally, we're acting ethically. We're acting in compliance with the KF and FIFA statutes and regulations, and we maintain the integrity and respect of CAF and of African football.”