
Patrice Motsepe, President of the African Football Confederation, denied corruption allegations against the organization on Thursday, April 9, during a visit to Rabat. These accusations were made by the Senegalese government after its team was stripped of the African champion title, which was awarded to Morocco. Speaking at a press conference in SalΓ©, near Rabat, the South African leader stated, "If someone wants to take legal action alleging corruption at CAF, I not only welcome it, but I encourage it. There is nothing to hide." He called the Senegalese government's accusations "false and unfounded." This follows CAF's appeal jury decision to declare Senegal's team forfeited in the final and confirm Morocco's 3-0 victory. The Senegalese government had requested an "international investigation into suspicions of corruption within CAF's governing bodies" on March 18. Regarding the appeal filed by the Senegalese Football Federation with the Court of Arbitration for Sport, Patrice Motsepe welcomed the move, stating, "These problems related to the final are behind us... because the judgment is underway," adding that "whatever the TAS decision, we will respect it and apply it." Concerning the 18 Senegalese supporters sentenced for "hooliganism" during the CAN 2025 final, he declared "respect for Morocco's judicial sovereignty."
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President Bassirou Diomaye Faye's decision to authorize the creation of the Two First Ladies' Foundation has initiated public debate. The initiative, recently made public, is central to discussions concerning the rationalization of public spending and institutional priorities. This decision is being viewed as a questionable political choice within a context of budgetary restrictions.

FIFA has announced the list of referees for the 2026 World Cup, scheduled from June 11 to July 19 in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, with no Senegalese officials included. The selection comprises 52 central referees, 88 assistant referees, and 30 video match officials, totaling 170 officials, the largest contingent ever for a World Cup. Seven African central referees were chosen: Omar Abdulkadir Artan Somalia, Dahane Beida Mauritania, Mustapha Ghorbal Algeria, Mohamed Adel Egypt, Abongile Tom South Africa, Pierre Atcho Gabon, and Jalal Jayed Morocco. Several African countries are represented among assistant referees, including Gabon, Morocco, Egypt, Algeria, Angola, and South Africa. For video assistance, two African referees, Mahmoud Ashour Egypt and Hamza El Fariq Morocco, were selected. Pierluigi Collina, Chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee, stated that the selection process involved three years of monitoring, seminars, regular evaluations, and participation in international competitions. Massimo Busacca, Director of Refereeing, added that preparations began after the 2022 World Cup. A ten-day training camp is planned in Miami starting May 31, where officials will receive physical and mental coaching and training on technologies like semi-automated offside detection, goal-line technology, and the connected ball.
Must ReadPatrice Motsepe, President of the Confederation of African Football CAF, denied corruption allegations made by the Senegalese government following the withdrawal of their team's African champion title in favor of Morocco. Mr. Motsepe, speaking at a press conference in SalΓ©, near Rabat, welcomed and encouraged anyone to take legal action regarding corruption claims, stating there is nothing to hide and calling the accusations false and baseless. The Senegalese government on March 18 called for an international investigation into alleged corruption within CAF's governing bodies after CAF's appeal jury declared the Senegalese team forfeited the final, awarding Morocco a 3-0 victory. While Morocco welcomed the decision, Senegal contested it and appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne. Mr. Motsepe stated that issues related to the final are behind them as the judgment is ongoing, and CAF will respect and apply the CAS decision. He also affirmed respect for Morocco's judicial sovereignty concerning 18 Senegalese supporters sentenced for hooliganism during the chaotic CAN-2025 final, with their appeal hearing set for April 13. The final on January 18 in Rabat saw the referee award Morocco a penalty after VAR consultation, shortly after disallowing a goal for Senegal. This decision led to several Senegalese players leaving the field, causing chaos. Senegalese supporters attempted to invade the pitch and threw projectiles. Players eventually returned, Moroccan forwa
Must ReadRodrigue Alitanou of the medical NGO Alima, based in Dakar, warns of potential medicine shortages by the end of April, stating that the Middle East conflict exacerbates humanitarian medicine supply tensions in Africa. This comes after years of financial cuts. Mr. Alitanou, the operations director for Alima, which operates in 13 African countries, highlights that if the situation persists for one and a half to two months, these alerts will directly impact their activities. Increased fuel costs and logistical transport through the Strait of Hormuz are affecting medicine delivery to crisis zones in Africa, compounded by US financial cuts to international aid. Africa imports over 70% of its medicines and more than 90% of its pharmaceutical ingredients. Mr. Alitanou expresses concern over rising import costs due to soaring fuel prices, noting that an additional $2,000 in costs means 200 fewer children treated for malnutrition. He observes this trend in Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and other countries. The Middle East, a crucial gateway between Asia, a major medicine producer, and Africa, is experiencing disruptions. Humanitarian supply centers in Dubai's free zone have seen their activities affected, impacting logistical transport to Africa. The World Health Organization WHO emergency logistics platform in Dubai, which supplies medicines to over 150 countries, canceled shipments and rerouted supplies due to airspace closures at the conflict's start. Damien Dubois, supp