Sources within multiple African football federations have revealed that the landmark decision was pushed through without adequate consultation with member associations, bypassing the required approval of CAF's supreme body, the General Assembly.
A Decision Made in the Shadows?
According to reports, the initial discussions were confined to a small circle within CAF's 24-member Executive Committee. Many of the 54 national federation presidents claim they were completely blindsided by the announcement.
"The decision was already made," one anonymous federation president stated. "If a General Assembly had been held and all presidents were allowed to vote, the decision would never have passed."
This raises critical questions about CAF executive committee powers versus the authority of its General Assembly. While CAF officials cite an internal statute granting the Executive Committee control over competitions, sports law experts contest this, arguing that a change of this magnitude legally requires a full assembly vote.
"The Executive Committee, as a subordinate body, is bound by limited powers and legally cannot make or amend decisions that fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of the General Assembly," noted governance experts familiar with CAF's statutes. They draw a parallel to FIFA, where changing the World Cup cycle would require Congress approval.
Mounting Frustration: Poor AFCON Organization and Refereeing Scandals
This governance controversy erupts against a backdrop of intense criticism over the organization of the current AFCON 2025 in Morocco (scheduled for 2026). The keyword "AFCON 2025 organization" or "AFCON 2026 Morocco" is trending alongside complaints of "poor logistics at AFCON" and "bad refereeing in African football."
Teams and journalists have reported issues with:
"AFCON transportation problems" for team delegations.
General "football tournament management" failures.
Inconsistent and controversial "VAR use in AFCON" and "refereeing standards."
Many fans are searching for terms like "AFCON penalty decisions controversy" and "referee errors AFCON 2025," highlighting specific matches where officials were accused of ignoring clear fouls without consulting VAR, directly affecting outcomes. This perceived "lack of accountability in CAF" fuels the belief that the continent's governing body is out of touch with the core problems plaguing its premier event.
A Culture of Fear and Potential Legal Battle
The situation is compounded by an apparent "culture of fear in African football." Federation presidents are hesitant to speak publicly, fearing reprisals from the continental body. This silence underscores a significant "sports democracy" issue.
Legally, the path is open for a challenge. Any member association can dispute the decision's legality before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), setting the stage for a potential "CAS appeal CAF decision" case that could invalidate the change. Alternatively, complaints could be lodged with FIFA, though its president, Gianni Infantino, has been previously linked to influencing CAF's administration.
The Core Debate: Progress or Power Play?
CAF defends the move, stating it will increase the tournament's prestige and commercial value, aligning it with other major continental championships. Critics, however, see it as a "top-down decision" that ignores the economic and sporting needs of smaller nations for which AFCON is a vital revenue and development stream.
Final Thought: This is more than a schedule change. It's a litmus test for good governance in football. Can African football's leaders implement visionary reform while respecting due process, transparency, and the collective voice of its members? Or will this episode remain another example of how "African football controversy" is often self-inflicted, overshadowing the beautiful game played on the pitch?
What do you think? Is the four-year cycle good for AFCON, or is the flawed process a fatal error? Share your opinion below.
A Controversial Decision: The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has changed the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to a four-year cycle, starting in 2028.
ReplyDeleteA Questionable Process: The decision was announced suddenly without genuine consultation with all 54 member associations. It was passed only by the Executive Committee, bypassing—according to experts—the supreme authority of the General Assembly.
Allegations of Overreach: Member federations accuse CAF of sidelining them and imposing the decision, while a "fear of reprisal" prevents public opposition.
A Crisis of Credibility: The decision comes amid complaints of poor organization and refereeing controversies at the current tournament (Morocco 2025/2026), undermining claims of "development."
An Uncertain Future: The decision could face a legal challenge at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The core question remains: Is this a step to elevate the tournament, or yet another example of poor governance in African football?