Guardiola slams CAF’s ‘behind-the-scenes’ AFCON verdict
Abdullateef Fowewe
Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola has voiced shock over the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) controversial decision to void Senegal’s 2026 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final victory and award Morocco a 3-0 win by forfeiture.
“It’s a surprise!” Guardiola said during a pre-match press conference.
“I don’t know the reason but it’s a decision made behind-the-scenes.”
He added, “What happens everywhere is what we see, it’s not happened, it always happens behind the scenes and you don’t see their faces.”
The ruling, announced two days ago, stemmed from a Moroccan Football Association appeal citing alleged procedural irregularities in Senegal’s win.
It has ignited fury, including corruption allegations from Senegal’s government, and fueled broader debates on transparency in African football governance.
Guardiola’s pointed remarks echo longstanding CAF controversies, such as past bidding scandals, raising concerns about player morale and the tournament’s global credibility.
