President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Patrice Motsepe, has revealed that the continental football body introduced new laws and regulations following the controversial conclusion of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final in Morocco.

The final, played on January 18, descended into chaos after Senegal’s national team walked off the pitch in protest when Morocco were awarded a penalty following a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review in stoppage time with the match still goalless.

Senegal were initially crowned champions before the result was later overturned, with the match declared forfeited in favour of hosts Morocco. The delayed ruling sparked widespread criticism, with many questioning why the decision was not taken immediately during the game.

READ ALSO:George Weah Breaks Silence On CAF Stripping Senegal Of AFCON Title

Speaking to BBC Sport Africa on Wednesday, Motsepe admitted that shortcomings in officiating and match management contributed to the controversy.

“We’ve done good work in terms of building the confidence and the trust amongst the football community of our referees and of our VAR,” Motsepe said.

“But there are still these challenges and we’ve recognized what the deficiencies were that led to the unfortunate incidents we had in Morocco.”

According to the CAF president, new regulations have now been implemented to prevent a repeat of such incidents in future continental competitions.

READ ALSO:AFCON 2025 Final: CAF Suspends Hakimi, Thiaw, Fines Senegal, Morocco

Motsepe stated that the measures introduced “will ensure that doesn’t happen again.”

He further disclosed that visits to both Senegal and Morocco formed part of CAF’s efforts to rebuild trust and confidence following the disputed final.

“We are waiting for the judgement of the Court of Arbitration for Sport and African football is continuing to grow and develop,” he said.

READ ALSO:Full List Of Winners At the 2025 CAF Awards

“Whatever decision comes, we will respect and implement.”

Motsepe also defended CAF’s decision to appoint Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala to officiate a major continental club final despite the controversy surrounding his handling of the AFCON final.

“After the final in Morocco, the chairman of the referees committee came to the executive committee, and they gave a thorough report of his performance and assessed how he refereed the match in accordance with global best refereeing practices,” Motsepe added.

Benfica manager, Jose Mourinho, is in “the final stages” of negotiations to return to Real Madrid.

Mourinho is set to take over at the Bernabeu ahead of next season.

In a tweet on Wednesday, football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, claimed the deal will be ratified by Madrid president, Florentino Perez.

READ ALSO:UCL: ‘I Hope They’re Not Committing Suicide’ – Mourinho Slams Critics After Benfica Beat Real Madrid

Romano wrote: “José Mourinho’s return to Real Madrid now advancing to the final stages. Talks are progressing well.

“Final approval from Florentino Pérez still needed + likely to wait until the elections…

“…but Mourinho is ready and talks have been productive.”

Mourinho will take over from Alvaro Arbeloa, who was brought in after Xabi Alonso was dismissed in January.

Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, has explained why he made six changes to the team to face Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Wednesday night.

Guardiola has left out the likes of Erling, Jeremy Doku and Rayan Cherki for the game at the Etihad.

City are looking to move within two points of league leaders Arsenal, before playing Chelsea in the FA Cup final in Saturday.

Guardiola said: “We have to make decisions before and after it depends on results whether we judge it nicely or the opposite. We have to take it.

READ ALSO:EPL: Cole Palmer Told To Leave Chelsea

“People don’t believe me, but the players who sometimes don’t play, we trust them otherwise they would not be here.

“We have today, then after three days we have to travel to London, which is always a long, long trip. We face Chelsea who have a long, long week waiting just for that game. They don’t have to travel.

“Then after we have travel to Bournemouth, one of the top form teams. Everyone has to play these three games.”