Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, has voiced surprise and concern over the Confederation of African Football’s controversial decision to strip Senegal of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title and award it to Morocco.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday’s Carabao Cup final against Arsenal, Guardiola said, “It’s surprising, I don’t know the reason, but it’s a decision that was made behind the scenes.”
He expressed frustration at the lack of transparency in CAF’s decision-making process. “Decisions are now being made behind the scenes, and we don’t see the faces of those who stand behind these decisions,” he told reporters.
Guardiola suggested that the issue reflects a broader pattern of opaque decision-making beyond football. “This is not new; it is what has been happening in football recently, and in the whole world as well,” he said in an interview with the Associated Press. “Look at what’s happening around the world. There’s unbelievable chaos, and nobody is doing anything about it. Everything is happening behind the scenes. The world is on the verge of collapse, yet we are still here talking about hidden tricks.”
The comments come amid a challenging period for Manchester City, who are seeking to rebound from their Champions League exit. The former Premier League champions were eliminated by Real Madrid after a 2-1 defeat at the Etihad Stadium, going out 5-1 on aggregate.
Despite the ongoing disappointment in European competition, Guardiola emphasized the importance of focusing on upcoming fixtures, particularly the Carabao Cup final against Arsenal at Wembley Stadium.
The CAF decision has sparked debate across African football circles, with fans, analysts, and national federations questioning the governing body’s transparency and criteria for awarding the tournament to Morocco. Guardiola’s remarks highlight growing frustration over governance issues in football, both on the continental stage and globally.
As Manchester City prepares for the domestic final, Guardiola’s attention will now be on steering his squad past recent setbacks while navigating the broader discussions about fairness and accountability in football administration.
