George Weah, the first African to become head of state in Liberia, and the only African Ballon d’Or and FIFA World Player of the Year winner in history, winning both awards in 1995, is the latest to strongly protest the African body’s decision to award victory to Morocco.
In a statement issued three days ago, the African body cited articles 82 and 84 of the Africa Cup of Nations Regulations to determine the conduct of Senegal national team which warranted a severe penalty.
The final in Rabat was stopped for over 15 minutes as Senegal players protested the decision to award Morocco a penalty with only a few seconds remaining to the final whistle.
In a statement dated March 18, Weah, who in 1989 and 1995, was named African Footballer of the Year winning the official award twice, and in 1996, was named African Player of the Century, termed the decision by CAF as unjustified and damaging to the integrity of African football.
Referee on the pitch is final authority
Weah further argued the outcome of the final in Rabat should have been allowed to stand, citing the authority of the match officials under the FIFA Laws of the Game.
“In football, the Laws of the Game are clear: the referee on the pitch is the final authority on decisions made during the match,” said Weah in a statement on his official social media accounts.
“Once play is allowed to continue and the match is completed, the result obtained on the field must stand. Under the applicable rules of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), match officials have full authority during the game.”
Weah added: “CAF regulations are in line with the FIFA Laws of the Game, which provide that: “The referee has full authority to enforce the Laws of the Game in connection with the match to which he has been appointed, and his decisions on facts connected with play are final.
“In the present case of the final AFCON match between Senegal and Morocco, the referee allowed the match to continue after the walk-off by Senegal, and the game was completed, including extra time, with a result obtained on the field of play.”
The 25th President of Liberia further said the referee’s report from the final never raised any queries about the game nor did it recommend any sanctions.
“Additionally, post-match, the referee report noted a stoppage during the match, not a forfeiture and recommended appropriate sanctions for the infractions during the match,” added Weah, who spent 14 years playing for clubs in France, Italy, and England.
“For this reason, the subsequent decision by the CAF committee, taken after the match had already been concluded, should not override the authority exercised by the referee during the game in keeping with the Laws of the Game - Law 5.”
He added: “Football must be decided on the pitch, not re-decided after the final whistle. There is therefore no sporting justification to nullify a match that was completed in accordance with the referee’s authority and the Laws of the Game.
“Otherwise, the beautiful game will head down a slippery slope where committee room officials and not match officials will be making post-match rulings to override referees on-field decisions like penalties, offside and red cards.”
Verdict has blemished African football
Weah maintained CAF’s decision had already tainted African football, while undermining integrity of football in the continent.
“This decision has further scarred and blemished African football, undermining confidence in the fairness, consistency, and integrity of football on the continent,” explained Weah, who joined the Premier League having spells at Chelsea and Manchester City, winning the FA Cup with Chelsea, before returning to France to play for Marseille in 2001.
“I call on the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and other relevant authorities to move decisively so that this travesty does not stand.”
Weah concluded: “I also want to use this opportunity to clarify social media posts widely circulating claiming that I support the decision by CAF Disciplinary Committee against Senegal is blatantly false.
“All those circulating my image and attaching the same to such fallacious statements are advised to refrain.”
Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly has maintained the West African nation will not be in a position to relinquish the trophy despite CAF’s ruling.
“Respect the champions, it’s not given, it’s earned. They can watch; I’ll keep it,” Koulibaly wrote on his social media pages.
“The trophy is here… and it’s not going anywhere. This goes beyond one country… all of Africa is celebrating. Thank you for your understanding…”
CAF President Patrice Motsepe has made it clear Senegal have the right to escalate the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
