The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has reportedly dismissed Désiré Noumandiez Doue from his role as Director of Refereeing.
This comes after Morocco lodged an official complaint regarding controversial officiating in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2025 final.
The match, held at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, ended in a 3–2 victory for Nigeria over host nation Morocco.
Officiating decisions made during the final, including a disputed penalty awarded to Nigeria and a possible handball incident not penalised in Morocco’s favour, have sparked outrage from the Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF).
The final was overseen by referee Antsino Twanyanyukwa from Namibia, with assistance from officials from Rwanda and Senegal.
The VAR team was led by Rwanda’s Salima Mukansanga. The FRMF filed a detailed complaint earlier in the week, including a CD with video footage they claim shows key refereeing errors that changed the result of the match.
Following this formal protest, CAF has reportedly taken its first disciplinary step by removing Doue.
The decision follows mounting criticism over the standard of refereeing in recent tournaments, with many observers calling for improvements in training and accountability.
The controversy adds to growing tensions between CAF and some North African football bodies.
There have been ongoing concerns about officiating fairness and allegations of regional bias within the organisation.
CAF has also come under fire recently for a promotional video that showed an incomplete map of Morocco, excluding the country’s southern regions, further straining relations with the FRMF.
Sources suggest that CAF is now reviewing its entire refereeing structure in response to pressure from several member associations. Changes in leadership and officiating protocols may soon follow.