The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has taken strong action by officially dismissing two referees—the Malian Boubou Traoré and the Cameroonian Abdou Abdel Mefire—for the remainder of the competition.
These sanctions follow performances deemed unsatisfactory during the earlier stages of the tournament, reflecting the pan-African body’s determination to no longer tolerate clear refereeing errors at this crucial stage of the competition.
The decision is part of a broader review of refereeing standards, as several national federations have voiced strong اعتراضات over controversial decisions.
By sending these officials home, CAF is delivering a firm message. The credibility of AFCON 2025 depends on exemplary impartiality and flawless technical performance from the remaining referees as the tournament enters its decisive phases.
