FIFA has reportedly taken a major decision regarding the referee of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final, igniting controversy across African football.
Jean-Jacques Ndala, who officiated the final between Senegal and Morocco, came under fire after disallowing a legitimate goal for Senegal just minutes before awarding a penalty to Morocco, which Pape Gueye converted in extra time to hand the Atlas Lions the trophy. The contentious call led to a walkout by the Teranga Lions.
Following the incident, FIFA has dropped Ndala from officiating duties at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. While African fans have heavily criticised the Congolese referee, he had previously avoided sanctions from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and continued to officiate matches after AFCON 2025.
Ndala was not the only African referee excluded from the tournament. Senegal’s Issa Sy and Mali’s Boubou Traoré were also dropped. Sy had been in the spotlight for officiating the controversial Nigeria vs Algeria quarter-final and a peculiar incident in a CAF Champions League match.
