Patrice Motsepe, president of the Confederation of African Football, will be traveling to Senegal, as he tries to placate an escalating row over last weekend’s controversal Africa Cup of Nations decision.
The CAF chief’s trip follows days of condemnation after the continental body stripped Senegal of their Africa Cup of Nations crown in what seemed like a politically motivated move. Senegal’s football chiefs and government declared they would reject the verdict and demand an independent inquiry into the way the ruling was made.
The issue has now quickly grown to a level beyond sport. Senegalese officials have called into question accountability and the standards of governance, while football authorities signalled their intent to take their case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
The CAF have insisted the ruling was consistent with its regulations, though it has been met with criticism across Africa as the handling of the case and its implications on the governance of African football are being widely questioned.
Motsepe’s trip will likely represent a direct effort by CAF to quell growing demands from Senegal. A meeting between the president and officials in Dakar is hoped to alleviate tensions between both sides and avoid further escalation of the problem.
The timeliness of the meeting is crucial. With legal proceedings looming over this, the CAF needs to find itself in a position where it can still assert its authority while avoiding protracted political and public relations crises that may harm the image of African football’s governing body.
It also sheds light on the increasing political implications for major football decision makers and how disputes in this area may easily turn into international affairs, particularly on the high stakes stage that the African Cup of Nations provides.
Motsepe has consistently urged for stability and unity at CAF during his tenure, however this represents the most challenging moment in his leadership at the governing body. The discussions are expected to centre on de-escalating the situation in Senegal, and urging all involved parties to keep engaged via official channels as the matter heads towards a possible court case.
