The president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Patrice Motsepe on Thursday dismissed corruption allegations made by the Senegalese government, following the governing body’s surprising decision to strip Senegal of its AFCON title and hand it to Morocco.&nbsp;&nbsp;"If anybody wants to initiate legal action alleging that there is corruption in CAF I don't only welcome that, I encourage them," said Patrice Motsepe, speaking in Morocco.&nbsp;“There's nothing to hide. We respect enormously the judicial and legal sovereignty of every single one of our 54 nations on the African continent.”&nbsp;"I'm confident that whatever the decision of CAS will say, we will respect it and we will implement it," he added, referring to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.&nbsp;Also Read &nbsp;- <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ipl-2026-sunil-narine-scripts-history-becomes-first-overseas-player-to-achieve-this-record-1775802786621">IPL 2026: Sunil Narine scripts history, becomes first overseas player to achieve THIS record</a>&nbsp;Motsepe's visit comes at a particularly tense time for CAF following its surprise decision to overturn Senegal's 1-0 win over hosts Morocco in the Cup of Nations final on January 18. CAF cited regulations about leaving the field as it recorded a 3-0 victory in Morocco's favour on March 17.&nbsp;During the match in Rabat, Senegal’s players, along with head coach Pape Thiaw and his staff, walked off the field after Morocco were given a penalty in added time. The spot-kick was later missed by forward Brahim Diaz.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ipl-2026-bat-speed-develops-lsg-s-inr-2-6-crore-buy-mukul-choudhary-reveals-how-he-scored-54-not-out-off-27-vs-kkr-1775800332834">IPL | LSG's INR 2.6 crore buy Mukul reveals how he hit 54 not out off 27 vs KKR</a>&nbsp;The Senegalese Football Federation has challenged CAF’s decision by taking the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).&nbsp;The decision has sparked a strong response by Senegal, whose government has called for an international investigation into suspected corruption within the organisation.&nbsp;With inputs from agencies

Senegal’s government accused African football’s governing body of corruption after the AFCON title was awarded to Morocco.

The president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Patrice Motsepe on Thursday dismissed corruption allegations made by the Senegalese government, following the governing body’s surprising decision to strip Senegal of its AFCON title and hand it to Morocco. "If anybody wants to initiate legal action alleging that there is corruption in CAF I don't only welcome that, I encourage them," said Patrice Motsepe, speaking in Morocco. “There's nothing to hide. We respect enormously the judicial and legal sovereignty of every single one of our 54 nations on the African continent.” "I'm confident that whatever the decision of CAS will say, we will respect it and we will implement it," he added, referring to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Also Read - IPL 2026: Sunil Narine scripts history, becomes first overseas player to achieve THIS record Motsepe's visit comes at a particularly tense time for CAF following its surprise decision to overturn Senegal's 1-0 win over hosts Morocco in the Cup of Nations final on January 18. CAF cited regulations about leaving the field as it recorded a 3-0 victory in Morocco's favour on March 17. During the match in Rabat, Senegal’s players, along with head coach Pape Thiaw and his staff, walked off the field after Morocco were given a penalty in added time. The spot-kick was later missed by forward Brahim Diaz. Also Read - IPL | LSG's INR 2.6 crore buy Mukul reveals how he hit 54 not out off 27 vs KKR The Senegalese Football Federation has challenged CAF’s decision by taking the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The decision has sparked a strong response by Senegal, whose government has called for an international investigation into suspected corruption within the organisation. With inputs from agencies

Senegal’s government accused African football’s governing body of corruption after the AFCON title was awarded to Morocco.

CAF chief Patrice Motsepe dismisses corruption claims by Senegal in AFCON trophy case

A drastic and dramatic overhaul of African football is expected to be announced on Thursday, the eve of the kickoff of the African Cup of Nations, in the wake of corruption scandals consuming the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

The CAF executive committee took a stunning decision on Wednesday to cede control of the running of the organisation and have FIFA general secretary Fatma Samoura parachuted in as "<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/sports/fifa-to-stick-with-32-teams-for-2022-football-world-cup-in-qatar-220740&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiU-Iq08PfiAhVFqY8KHTMtBeIQFjABegQIDhAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw3qcqXm7lwjFYI6bVIbphJY">FIFA </a>High Commissioner for Africa", according to sources.

No announcement has been made by African football’s governing body but its beleaguered president Ahmad Ahmad is scheduled to hold a press conference in Cairo on Thursday at 0900 GMT.

Ahmad, who is the subject of an ethics investigation by FIFA after allegations of corruption and sexual misconduct, proposed the idea in a document shared with colleagues on the executive committee, the sources said.

Samoura is to lead a FIFA team that will conduct "a root-and-branch review of the governance of the confederation, oversee the operational management of the organisation, and recommend where needed a series of reform efforts. This will be done in order to put CAF itself on a modern and sound footing, improve its image and reputation and thus ensure that CAF is better equipped to face future challenges and to grasp future opportunities," the document read.

FIFA is to also undertake a forensic audit of the monies they have been giving CAF.

The idea of sending Samoura to Africa is said to have been put together by FIFA president Gianni Infantino and CAF vice president Amaju Pinnick in the wake of Ahmad’s brief detention by French police last week for questioning on corruption allegations.

Ahmad, who is seeking to hold onto some semblance of power or even walk away from his post without sanction, had been forced to accept the deal and then propose it to his own colleagues, CAF sources told Reuters on Thursday.

With FIFA seeking to improve football's image, the Ahmad controversy has come as a major embarrassment to Infantino, who has been claiming a new-look, clean and corruption-free <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/sports/chelsea-lose-transfer-ban-appeal-but-can-register-minor-players-says-fifa-217035&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiU-Iq08PfiAhVFqY8KHTMtBeIQFjAIegQIAxAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw3zfSoPzTPOwQBHYqhoeIeF">FIFA</a>.

Ahmad, by virtue of his position as leader of African football, is automatically a FIFA vice president.

African football has been rocked not only by the firing of CAF general secretary Amr Fahmy for whistleblowing but also a walk-off in the Champions League final and the alleged assault on a referee by another of CAF’s vice presidents.

The Cup of Nations kicks off in Cairo on Friday when hosts Egypt take on Zimbabwe.

A drastic and dramatic overhaul of African football is expected to be announced on Thursday, the eve of the kickoff of the African Cup of Nations, in the wake of corruption scandals consuming the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

A drastic and dramatic overhaul of African football is expected to be announced on Thursday, the eve of the kickoff of the African Cup of Nations, in the wake of corruption scandals consuming the Confederation of African Football (CAF). The CAF executive committee took a stunning decision on Wednesday to cede control of the running of the organisation and have FIFA general secretary Fatma Samoura parachuted in as "FIFA High Commissioner for Africa", according to sources. No announcement has been made by African football’s governing body but its beleaguered president Ahmad Ahmad is scheduled to hold a press conference in Cairo on Thursday at 0900 GMT. Ahmad, who is the subject of an ethics investigation by FIFA after allegations of corruption and sexual misconduct, proposed the idea in a document shared with colleagues on the executive committee, the sources said. Samoura is to lead a FIFA team that will conduct "a root-and-branch review of the governance of the confederation, oversee the operational management of the organisation, and recommend where needed a series of reform efforts. This will be done in order to put CAF itself on a modern and sound footing, improve its image and reputation and thus ensure that CAF is better equipped to face future challenges and to grasp future opportunities," the document read. FIFA is to also undertake a forensic audit of the monies they have been giving CAF. The idea of sending Samoura to Africa is said to have been put together by FIFA president Gianni Infantino and CAF vice president Amaju Pinnick in the wake of Ahmad’s brief detention by French police last week for questioning on corruption allegations. Ahmad, who is seeking to hold onto some semblance of power or even walk away from his post without sanction, had been forced to accept the deal and then propose it to his own colleagues, CAF sources told Reuters on Thursday. With FIFA seeking to improve football's image, the Ahmad controversy has come as a major embarrassment to Infantino, who has been claiming a new-look, clean and corruption-free FIFA. Ahmad, by virtue of his position as leader of African football, is automatically a FIFA vice president. African football has been rocked not only by the firing of CAF general secretary Amr Fahmy for whistleblowing but also a walk-off in the Champions League final and the alleged assault on a referee by another of CAF’s vice presidents. The Cup of Nations kicks off in Cairo on Friday when hosts Egypt take on Zimbabwe.

FIFA expected to overhaul African football after corruption scandal

Egypt will host the 2019&nbsp;Africa&nbsp;Cup&nbsp;of Nations between June 15 and July 13, Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Ahmad Ahmad announced in Dakar Tuesday. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The CAF executive committee preferred Egypt to South&nbsp;Africa&nbsp;as replacements for original hosts Cameroon, who were dropped due to delays in preparations and concerns over security.

"I am pleased to announce that Egypt will host CAN (Cup&nbsp;of Nations) 2019," Malagasy Ahmad told reporters.

"I want to thank the two countries -- they came to the rescue of the CAF when we saw that the evolution of the work in Cameroon was not developed."

A CAF official told AFP that Egypt received 16 votes from the executive committee, South&nbsp;Africa&nbsp;one and there was one abstention.&nbsp;

Ahmad made the announcement just hours after CAF said it would not disclose the winner until Wednesday to allow the media to concentrate on the annual awards ceremony in Dakar later Tuesday.

It will be the fifth time Egypt stage the biennial showpiece of African football after 1959, when the country was called the United Arab Republic, 1974, 1986 and 2006.

Egypt only entered the running to host the&nbsp;Cup&nbsp;of Nations when fellow north African country Morocco announced they would not bid to do so.

Morocco were the hot media favourites to replace Cameroon as hosts and Egypt said they "did not want to compete against a fellow Arab nation".&nbsp;

Egypt boast many international-standard venues with the Cairo International Stadium (72,000) and Borg El Arab Stadium in Alexandria (87,000) boasting the largest capacities.

Ismailia, Port Said and Suez are other possible venues for tournament matches as the&nbsp;Cup&nbsp;of Nations returns to north&nbsp;Africa&nbsp;after a 13-year absence. &nbsp;

Challenges

The choice of Egypt will immediately make them favourites to win a record-extending eighth&nbsp;Cup&nbsp;of Nations title this year.&nbsp;

They won three of the four previous tournaments they hosted, failing only in 1974 when they were beaten by Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo) in the semi-finals.

The star of the current team, Liverpool attacker Mohamed Salah, is favourite to retain the African Player of the Year award in Dakar.

Security and weather will be two challenges facing Egypt in the first&nbsp;Cup&nbsp;of Nations to feature 24 teams, up from 16 in Gabon two years ago.

Egypt faces a constant terror threat in the volatile Middle East region and the weather during the tournament is expected to be hot and humid.

Djamel Belmadi, coach of 2019 qualifiers Algeria, said recently that he would prefer South&nbsp;Africa&nbsp;to host the tournament because of the cooler weather conditions there.

"It is almost impossible to play (in Egypt) given the heat and humidity," he told the Algerian media. "The weather conditions in South&nbsp;Africa&nbsp;are more pleasant."&nbsp;

Egyptian football official Karam Kordi responded: "It would be better if Belmadi said he was afraid of the enthusiastic Egyptian supporters."

Algeria, Egypt, Ghana, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, Tunisia and Uganda have qualified for the 2019 tournament.&nbsp;

The other 10 places will be filled after the final qualifiers between March 18 and 26.

Egypt will host the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations between June 15 and July 13, Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Ahmad Ahmad announced in Dakar Tuesday.

Egypt will host the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations between June 15 and July 13, Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Ahmad Ahmad announced in Dakar Tuesday. The CAF executive committee preferred Egypt to South Africa as replacements for original hosts Cameroon, who were dropped due to delays in preparations and concerns over security. "I am pleased to announce that Egypt will host CAN (Cup of Nations) 2019," Malagasy Ahmad told reporters. "I want to thank the two countries -- they came to the rescue of the CAF when we saw that the evolution of the work in Cameroon was not developed." A CAF official told AFP that Egypt received 16 votes from the executive committee, South Africa one and there was one abstention. Ahmad made the announcement just hours after CAF said it would not disclose the winner until Wednesday to allow the media to concentrate on the annual awards ceremony in Dakar later Tuesday. It will be the fifth time Egypt stage the biennial showpiece of African football after 1959, when the country was called the United Arab Republic, 1974, 1986 and 2006. Egypt only entered the running to host the Cup of Nations when fellow north African country Morocco announced they would not bid to do so. Morocco were the hot media favourites to replace Cameroon as hosts and Egypt said they "did not want to compete against a fellow Arab nation". Egypt boast many international-standard venues with the Cairo International Stadium (72,000) and Borg El Arab Stadium in Alexandria (87,000) boasting the largest capacities. Ismailia, Port Said and Suez are other possible venues for tournament matches as the Cup of Nations returns to north Africa after a 13-year absence. Challenges The choice of Egypt will immediately make them favourites to win a record-extending eighth Cup of Nations title this year. They won three of the four previous tournaments they hosted, failing only in 1974 when they were beaten by Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo) in the semi-finals. The star of the current team, Liverpool attacker Mohamed Salah, is favourite to retain the African Player of the Year award in Dakar. Security and weather will be two challenges facing Egypt in the first Cup of Nations to feature 24 teams, up from 16 in Gabon two years ago. Egypt faces a constant terror threat in the volatile Middle East region and the weather during the tournament is expected to be hot and humid. Djamel Belmadi, coach of 2019 qualifiers Algeria, said recently that he would prefer South Africa to host the tournament because of the cooler weather conditions there. "It is almost impossible to play (in Egypt) given the heat and humidity," he told the Algerian media. "The weather conditions in South Africa are more pleasant." Egyptian football official Karam Kordi responded: "It would be better if Belmadi said he was afraid of the enthusiastic Egyptian supporters." Algeria, Egypt, Ghana, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, Tunisia and Uganda have qualified for the 2019 tournament. The other 10 places will be filled after the final qualifiers between March 18 and 26.

Egypt to host 2019 Africa Cup of Nations

Forwards Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang have again made the shortlist for the Confederation of African Football (CAF) player of the year award, the second year running the trio have battled it out for the prestigious prize.

Egypt striker Salah claimed the honour last year and will be favourite again, hoping to become the fourth player to win back-to-back titles after Senegal forward El Hadji Diouf, Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o and Ivory Coast midfielder Yaya Toure.

Liverpool team mate Mane from Senegal has been getting closer to the prize after finishing third in the voting in 2016 and second last year.

Gabon forward Aubameyang made the final three for the fifth time in succession, equalling the record set by Toure and former Ghana international midfielder Michael Essien.

His only victory came in 2015 when he beat Toure and Ghanaian Andre Ayew to the prize.

The award is voted for by the national team coaches and captains of CAF's 56 member associations and the winner for 2018 will be announced in Dakar, Senegal on Jan. 8.

Forwards Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang have again made the shortlist for the Confederation of African Football (CAF) player of the year award, the second year running the trio have battled it out for the prestigious prize.

Forwards Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang have again made the shortlist for the Confederation of African Football (CAF) player of the year award, the second year running the trio have battled it out for the prestigious prize. Egypt striker Salah claimed the honour last year and will be favourite again, hoping to become the fourth player to win back-to-back titles after Senegal forward El Hadji Diouf, Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o and Ivory Coast midfielder Yaya Toure. Liverpool team mate Mane from Senegal has been getting closer to the prize after finishing third in the voting in 2016 and second last year. Gabon forward Aubameyang made the final three for the fifth time in succession, equalling the record set by Toure and former Ghana international midfielder Michael Essien. His only victory came in 2015 when he beat Toure and Ghanaian Andre Ayew to the prize. The award is voted for by the national team coaches and captains of CAF's 56 member associations and the winner for 2018 will be announced in Dakar, Senegal on Jan. 8.

Salah, Mane and Aubameyang make shortlist for African player of the year