George Weah Criticises CAF and Calls on Arbitration Court to Reverse AFCON Decision
George Weah, Liberias first African leader and the sole African recipient of the Ballon dOr and FIFA World Player of the Year accolades, both claimed in 1995, has become the most recent prominent voice condemning the African federations ruling that handed the win to Morocco.
In a declaration released three days prior, the African federation referenced sections 82 and 84 of the Africa Cup of Nations guidelines to assess the actions of Senegals national squad, justifying a harsh punishment.
The Rabat showdown paused for more than 15 minutes when Senegal players objected to Moroccos late penalty award, just before the final whistle.
In his March 18 pronouncement, Weah, who secured the African Footballer of the Year title officially in 1989 and 1995, and was honoured as African Player of the Century in 1996, described the CAFs judgement as baseless and harmful to Africas football standards.
Match referee holds ultimate power
Weah contended that the Rabat finals result ought to remain valid, emphasising the match officials authority under FIFA Laws of the Game.
In football, the Laws of the Game specify that the onfield referee possesses ultimate control over match decisions, Weah stated via his verified social media platforms.
Once the game resumes and concludes, the fields outcome must prevail. Per the Confederation of African Football rules, officials wield complete power during play.
Weah continued: CAF rules align with FIFA Laws of the Game, stating that the referee exercises full authority to apply these laws in the appointed match, with decisions on playrelated facts deemed final.
In this AFCON final between Senegal and Morocco, the referee permitted continuation after Senegals departure, completing the match, including extra time, yielding an onfield result.
Liberias 25th President noted that the referees final report raised no concerns about the contest and suggested no penalties.
Moreover, the postmatch report acknowledged a halt, not a forfeit, and advised suitable measures for match infringements, Weah added, drawing from his 14year career across clubs in France, Italy, and England.
Thus, the CAFs later committee ruling, postconclusion, cannot supersede the referees ingame authority under Law 5 of the Laws of the Game.
He stressed: Football outcomes belong on the pitch, not revised after the whistle. Nullifying a finished match lacks sporting merit, defying the referees power and rules.
Otherwise, the sport risks a decline where administrative panels, not field officials, alter postmatch calls like penalties, offsides, and ejections.
Ruling stains African football legacy
Weah insisted that CAFs choice has already tarnished African football, eroding continental trust.
This ruling has injured and marred African football, eroding belief in its equity, uniformity, and credibility, Weah elaborated, recalling his Premier League stints at Chelsea and Manchester City, where he lifted the FA Cup with Chelsea, prior to rejoining Marseille in France in 2001.
I urge the Court of Arbitration for Sport and pertinent bodies to act swiftly against this injustice.
Weah ended: I also wish to debunk circulating social media claims suggesting I back the CAFs Disciplinary Committees stance on Senegal, which are utterly untrue.
Those spreading my image with such misleading assertions should cease immediately.
Senegal skipper Kalidou Koulibaly has affirmed that the West African side will retain the trophy regardless of CAFs decree.
Honour the champions, earned not gifted. They may observe, but I hold it firm, Koulibaly posted online.
The trophy remains here and stays put. This transcends one nation, uniting Africas celebration. Thanks for your grasp.
CAF head Patrice Motsepe confirmed Senegals option to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.