The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has sparked significant debate by appointing Jean-Jacques Ndala to officiate the first leg of the Champions League final. The match, featuring Mamelodi Sundowns and AS FAR, is set to take place on May 17 in Pretoria. However, the choice of the Congolese referee, who was at the center of the chaotic CAN 2025 final, has drawn sharp criticism from the Moroccan side.
AS FAR formally appeals the refereeing choice
According to reports, the Rabat-based club has expressed its dissatisfaction directly to CAF. In an official letter, AS FAR highlighted several concerns regarding the officiating crew. They specifically pointed out a lack of diversity in the refereeing trio for the first leg, noting that the assistants share the same nationality as Jean-Jacques Ndala. This stands in contrast to the more international panel assigned for the return leg on May 24 in Maroc.
The shadow of the CAN 2025 final
The primary source of tension remains Ndala‘s performance during the last Africa Cup of Nations final between Maroc and Sénégal. The Moroccan club argues that his failure to properly apply tournament regulations during that match makes him a controversial choice for such a high-stakes encounter. It is worth noting that the CAN 2025 result is currently under review by the TAS after Sénégal appealed a decision that awarded Maroc a victory by forfeit.
While AS FAR is the most vocal critic, reports suggest that Mamelodi Sundowns may also have reservations about the appointment. With Jean-Jacques Ndala already excluded from the 2026 World Cup referee list, CAF now faces a delicate situation as both finalists voice their concerns ahead of the continental showdown.