At AFCON 2025, Cameroonian referee Abdou Abdel Mefire, appointed for the Morocco–Mali clash, has become the subject of intense controversy. Allegations of interference in favor of the Atlas Lions have spread across social media, while the Confederation of African Football defends its choice of a promising 29-year-old official. At just 29 years old, the youngest central referee of this 35th edition of the TotalEnergies AFCON Morocco 2025, Mefire took charge of the decisive match between Morocco national football team and Mali national football team on December 26 at the Complexe Moulay Abdellah. Kick-off was at 9 p.m., with the hosts coming off a 2–0 win over Comoros and facing an ambitious Malian side. The match ended in a 1–1 draw, but the debate quickly moved beyond the pitch.
Officiating under heavy criticism
Despite praise from Fédération Camerounaise de Football, which hailed a “top-class performance” and highlighted a policy of rejuvenating Cameroonian referees, reactions have been fierce. Malian supporters and neutral observers have denounced what they see as biased officiating: a penalty denied to the Eagles after a clear Moroccan foul in the box, a delayed VAR review nearly ten minutes later for another incident, and several decisions perceived as favoring Morocco. “Corrupt referee serving his masters,” some wrote on forums, referring to threats and a tense environment despite the talent of the referee, born on August 2, 1996. Mefire is no newcomer. A finalist in CHAN 2024, referee for the U20 final won by Morocco in May, and involved in three matches at the U17 World Cup in November 2025, his résumé is impressive. CAF presents him as “one of Africa’s most promising referees.” Yet in Cameroon, controversy is also growing over his age, fueling conspiracy theories.
These suspicions echo the turmoil surrounding the AFCON 2025 final on January 18, 2026, where Morocco national football team challenged initial CAF sanctions: a 200,000 dollar fine for ball boys, 100,000 dollars for a VAR-related incident, and suspensions for Achraf Hakimi and Ismaël Saïbari. According to reports, the disciplinary committee may have been subject to interference. Morocco’s appeal reversed the situation: Senegal national football team were declared to have forfeited, the title was awarded to the Atlas Lions, and sanctions were reduced. Senegal has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, denouncing an injustice. In this tense context, the Mefire episode has reignited doubts over CAF’s impartiality. The Royal Moroccan Football Federation rejects the accusations, while Walid Regragui had warned about a skilful and motivated Malian side. AFCON 2025, marked by a chaotic conclusion and these alleged interferences, raises serious questions about governance in African football. It remains to be seen whether Mefire will officiate again under such intense scrutiny.