CAF President Patrice Motsepe has taken a strong stance against unsportsmanlike behavior that has increasingly become an issue in African football. Motsepe’s remarks were prompted by the recent controversy surrounding the Nigeria versus Libya AFCON qualifier, where Nigeria’s national football team was reportedly held at a Libyan airport for more than 12 hours after their original landing destination was denied.
This incident, though significant, is only part of a broader problem that has plagued African football in recent years. Motsepe, addressing these concerns during a CAF Congress this week, shed light on various unethical practices that have been undermining the sport’s integrity across the continent. The Nigeria-Libya incident was just one example of the frustrations many teams face while traveling for international competitions, and it highlighted a much deeper issue regarding fairness and respect for visiting teams.
Motsepe acknowledged that incidents like these are not isolated. He mentioned that host countries have, on numerous occasions, created unnecessary hurdles for visiting teams, ranging from excessive delays at airports to demanding documents that do not exist. “I’ve heard too many stories of a football club or a national team going to a country, spending hours at the airport, and being asked about documents that don’t exist,” Motsepe explained.
What was perhaps more concerning was Motsepe’s revelation about an alarming trend that became prevalent during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Motsepe, there were multiple instances where host nations would allegedly falsify COVID-19 test results, deliberately claiming that key players from visiting teams had tested positive for the virus. This was done despite those players having tested negative prior to their arrival.
“Apparently, during COVID, they would look at who the best players are from your national team and say those 10 players have COVID. And you’d say, ‘But we’ve just been tested.’ ‘No, no, no, they’ve got COVID.’ It’s this lack of sportsmanship that has existed, and we haven’t taken effective action,” Motsepe said, pointing out that this kind of behavior went largely unchecked during the pandemic.
Motsepe’s comments emphasize the need for CAF to take a tougher stance on enforcing sportsmanship and fair play, especially when it comes to the treatment of visiting teams and football clubs. He reiterated that it is essential for host nations to treat their visitors with respect and dignity, just as they would expect to be treated when they visit other countries.
“We are proud of those nations that treat visiting national teams and football clubs with the respect and dignity they deserve, and who treat them as they’d like to be treated when they visit other countries,” he stated.
Motsepe also reassured the football community that CAF is actively reviewing its regulations to address these issues. He emphasized that new measures will be put in place to ensure that the dignity and rights of visiting teams are respected. “We’re reviewing those laws and emphasizing sportsmanship when a national team or football club visits. They should be treated with the dignity and respect they deserve, and if there are violations of those regulations and rules, we will take action,” Motsepe asserted.
The CAF president’s firm stance sends a clear message that the organization is committed to upholding the integrity of the sport. As African football continues to grow and attract global attention, ensuring fair treatment and promoting sportsmanship will be crucial for the continent’s reputation in the international football community.
Motsepe’s remarks highlight the importance of addressing these long-standing issues that have affected the sport for years. His leadership in calling out unethical practices, whether related to travel difficulties or COVID-19-related manipulations, sets a precedent for how CAF intends to handle such matters moving forward.
The Nigeria-Libya incident and other similar cases serve as a reminder that while African football has made tremendous strides, there are still significant challenges to overcome when it comes to ensuring fairness and respect for all teams involved. With Motsepe at the helm, CAF appears determined to tackle these challenges head-on, with a focus on reinforcing the principles of sportsmanship and equality on and off the pitch.
In conclusion, the CAF president’s recent statements at the CAF Congress underline a commitment to making African football more transparent and fair for all participants. By taking a strong stand against unsportsmanlike behavior and reviewing regulations to promote fair play, CAF aims to protect the integrity of the sport and create a level playing field for all teams, regardless of their home or visiting status.
