The Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) recent dismissal of top referee assessor Jean-Jacques Doué has created more questions than answers, reigniting old concerns about fairness and consistency in African football governance.
Reportedly removed from his role just days after Morocco’s football federation (FRMF) filed a protest over the officiating in the 2024 WAFCON final, Doué’s exit came with surprising speed. While Hespress, a Moroccan outlet, was the first to break the news, the bigger headline may be CAF’s sudden willingness to act.
Was this a genuine step toward accountability or a politically convenient move? It’s hard to ignore the timing. Morocco is set to host the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, and the swiftness with which CAF addressed the FRMF’s concerns raises eyebrows. Would this decision have come so quickly if another country had complained?
This inconsistency becomes even clearer when you recall the 2022 WAFCON semi-final, also in Morocco, where Nigeria’s Super Falcons were handed two red cards and ultimately knocked out on penalties. Despite a storm of criticism over the refereeing in that match, CAF didn’t investigate or sanction anyone. The silence then makes the current response look not just urgent but selective.
Digging deeper, part of Morocco’s complaint reportedly hinged on a handball call that wasn’t given. But under FIFA’s own laws, not every handball is a foul especially when it’s clearly ball-to-hand or occurs in a natural position. So what guided CAF’s decision to act this time? Was it truly a violation of rules, or was there political pressure behind the scenes?
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The concern now is what this means for future tournaments. If disciplinary action only follows when host nations are unhappy, are we entering an era where officiating complaints will be handled based on political relevance rather than fairness?
CAF must tread carefully. Decisions like these, when not applied evenly, can erode trust. If Doué was removed due to genuine errors, the same standard must apply to all matches, teams, and officials, regardless of the host country or the stature of the team filing the complaint.
Nigeria’s Super Falcons should be celebrating their record-extending 10th WAFCON crown, not watching their achievement be dragged into controversy. CAF must make it clear that its actions are anchored in integrity, not influence.
African football fans deserve transparency, consistency, and a system where justice is not only done, but done for all.
