Pep Guardiola Speaks Out on Controversial AFCON 2025 Decision

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has commented on the controversial decision by the Confederation of African Football to award the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title to Morocco national football team.

CAF’s Appeal Board earlier this week overturned Senegal national football team’s 1–0 victory in the final, citing the Teranga Lions’ walk-off in protest of a stoppage-time penalty as a breach of Articles 82 and 84.

The ruling recorded the match as a 3–0 forfeit in favor of Morocco, sparking widespread debate across African football circles.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, Guardiola admitted surprise at the development. “It’s a surprise,” he said. “I don’t have a proper opinion because I don’t know the reason why. I didn’t read, didn’t see.”

He went on to suggest that such decisions are often made behind closed doors, away from public scrutiny. “But it’s a decision made behind-the-scenes. What happens everywhere is what we see, it’s not happened, it always happens behind the scenes and you don’t see their faces. That is what is happening lately in football and all around the world in other subjects,” he added.

Guardiola’s remarks highlight the uncertainty and confusion surrounding CAF’s ruling, which has drawn criticism from players, coaches, and football analysts alike. Many observers argue that the decision undermines the competitive integrity of the tournament, while others defend CAF’s authority to enforce disciplinary regulations.

The controversy has sparked a broader debate on governance and transparency in African football, with reactions continuing to pour in from fans and experts across the continent. For now, Morocco remains the official winner of the 2025 AFCON, while Senegal grapples with the fallout of the unprecedented ruling.