Connect with us

CK Updates

Motsepe reaffirms commitment to keep CAF world class

Published

on

CAF President Patrice Motsepe during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations AFCON CAF President Press Conference at Main Media Centre in Rabat, Morocco on 17 January 2026 ©Weam Mostafa/BackpagePix

by
Staff Reporter

Saturday Jan 31, 2026. 11:00

Advertisement

Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Dr Patrice Motsepe has spoken out following the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and the disciplinary judgements that followed the tournament’s final, reaffirming his commitment to uphold and further the integrity, competitiveness and reputation of African football.

In the statement released on Friday, the President reaffirmed the CAF Executive Committee’s (EXCO) determination to “maintain and advance the integrity, reputation and global competitiveness of African Football and CAF Competitions.”

This comes after both Morocco, Senegal and Algeria were sanctioned for “bringing the game into disrepute” during the continental showpiece.

Motsepe made no secret of his displeasure at the antics that unfolded in the 2025 AFCON final and reaffirmed his support for the organisation’s judicial bodies. He announced a meeting of the CAF EXCO to review the organisation’s regulations and ensure that they could impose necessary sanctions for the violations of the governing body’s laws and statutes.

“I was extremely disappointed with the unacceptable incidences that took place at the Finals of the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON Morocco 2025.

“I have called a meeting of the CAF Executive Committee (EXCO), which is the highest decision-making body in CAF, outside the CAF Annual Ordinary General Assembly; to review the CAF Regulations, including the CAF Disciplinary Code, to ensure that the CAF Judicial Bodies have the power to impose appropriate and dissuasive sanctions for serious violations of the CAF Statutes, Regulations, Disciplinary Code and for behaviour and conduct that seriously undermines or harms the reputation, integrity, respect and global competitiveness of African Football and CAF Competitions.”

The President emphasised the work that has been done to significantly improve the standard of refereeing in continental competitions and reaffirmed the organisation’s financial commitment to continue this development.

Advertisement

“We have, over the past few years, significantly improved the quality, integrity, independence, skills and expertise of African referees, VAR operators and match commissioners. We are determined to allocate additional financial and expert technical resources to ensure that the quality, integrity, impartiality, skills and expertise of African referees, VAR operators and match commissioners, are as good as the best in the world.

He also emphasised the impartiality of the CAF Referees Committee as an independent body, calling for more respect to be given to referees, VAR officials and match commissioners.

Despite the turmoil that has engulfed the world of African football following the recent AFCON, Motsepe ensured that the new measures and changes to be implemented would ensure continued respect for CAF competitions.

By Nic Gleeson

CK Updates

Commonwealth Games 2026: Michaela Walsh takes silver after final defeat against Jaismine Jaismine

Published

on

Michael Walsh and Jaismine Jaismine

Team Northern Ireland boxer Michaela Walsh had to settle for a third Commonwealth Games silver as she lost to India’s Jaismine Jaismine by unanimous decision.

The Holy Family fighter, who has earned a medal in each of her four successive Games appearances, has claimed a third silver after also coming second in 2014 and 2018.

But she missed out on the chance to add a second gold to the one she won in Birmingham four years ago after being outclassed by Jaismine.

The decorated 33-year-old also won gold in 2022, and joins bowler Neil Booth, shooter Martin Millar plus Mike Bull and Lady Mary Peters from athletics on four medals.

Only shooter David Calvert has won more medals with eight, four of which were gold.

Three of the five judges scored the fight 29-28 while the other two gave it 30-27 with all in favour of Jaismine.

Walsh made a slow start and had an uphill battle after a cagey first round which she lost 3-2.

Advertisement

The second was a much closer affair and while she went all out for the stoppage in the third, her efforts were in vain as Jaismine did enough to win and claim the gold.

It is NI’s third silver medal of the Glasgow Games after Barry McClements and Daniel Wiffen in the pool and their 11th overall.

Kaci Rock and Jon McConnell have the chance to add boxing’s first two golds of these Games as the two debutants fight later this afternoon.

Rock is up against England’s Sacha Hickey in the women’s welterweight final at 11:45 BST and McConnell will fight Wales’ Orlando Holley-Sotomi in the men’s light-middleweight final at 13:15.

Continue Reading

CK Updates

Fifa World Cup plans: Gianni Infantino scraps private investment proposal after widespread opposition

Published

on

Fifa president Gianni Infantino looks on after the 2026 World Cup final

Infantino became Fifa president in 2016 when he beat AFC president Sheikh Salman al-Khalifa by 115 votes to 88.

Fifa’s next president will be confirmed at the organisation’s 77th Congress in Morocco next March. Candidates have until 18 November to put their names forward.

Prior to this week, it had been anticipated Infantino would be re-elected unopposed. Associations around the world, including some in Europe, had already confirmed their intention to vote for him.

It remains to be seen if the events of this week will result in a mass withdrawal of their support.

In his statement, Infantino reiterated his plan was designed to strengthen members associations, “especially in countries where support is most needed”.

He added: “Our purpose has always been – and always will be – to unite and improve.”

However, the proposal clearly created division within Fifa itself.

Advertisement

Cordeiro, who represented the world governing body on the White House taskforce for the 2026 World Cup, is the first senior figure at Fifa to resign over the plans.

In a lengthy statement, Cordeiro said he “unequivocally” opposed the plans and said he “did not accept the proposition” Fifa needed outside investors to “unlock greater value”. He added he had no involvement in the proposal.

It is understood Infantino even left some of Fifa’s eight vice-presidents in the dark about his plan, which it is claimed could have raised $10bn (£7.5bn).

Lamour called it “the project of one person” and said “a president must bring people together, unite them, and inspire them” but this was “the opposite”.

“If that means I lose my job, then so be it,” he added. “I will understand and respect that decision. At least I’ll sleep well tonight.”

Continue Reading

CK Updates

Commonwealth Games 2026: Georgia Hunter Bell eyes golden sweep after Glasgow win

Published

on

Georgia Hunter Bell smiles while unfurling an England flag

Georgia Hunter Bell is eyeing an ambitious sweep of gold medals in 2026 after winning the 800m Commonwealth Games title in Glasgow.

England’s Hunter Bell dominated the field to add Commonwealth gold to the 1500m world indoor title she won earlier this year in Poland.

The 32-year-old, a training partner of 800m Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson, will also race at next month’s European Championships and the inaugural Ultimate Championships in September.

“There are four opportunities to win gold this year,” Hunter Bell told BBC Sport.

“I am two golds down and two more to go.”

Hunter Bell is blossoming later in her career.

Having taken five years out from the sport before returning during the Covid-19 pandemic, she took 1500m bronze at the Paris Olympics before pipping Hodgkinson to silver at last year’s World Championships in the 800m.

Advertisement

This, though, is her first outdoor title – in the event Hodgkinson is Olympic champion.

“Every medal is a landmark moment but my first outdoor gold is huge,” she said.

Hunter Bell and Kenya’s world champion Lilian Odira were the favourites for this title after Hodgkinson opted not to compete. The final was barely a contest with Hunter Bell setting the pace and then kicking on with 200m to go to win by more than a second.

Hodgkinson has instead taken time off before the European Championships in Birmingham, which start on 10 August.

Hunter Bell is only running in the 1500m in that event, denying the chance to see an intriguing race between the pair, but took her opportunity in her friend and training partner’s absence.

Though she said the win validates her decision to come to Glasgow, she defended the decision of others to withdraw.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending

© 2025 - CK Sports UG. All rights reserved.