Is a towel ban coming? CAF Referees Chief weighs in on Goalkeeper equipment row

Referees chief explains why the incident cannot be ignored

Is a towel ban coming? CAF Referees Chief weighs in on Goalkeeper equipment row

CAF referees chief Olivier Safari spoke about the towel incident that caused tension during the AFCON 2025 final between Morocco and Senegal.

What was the “Towel Incident”?

The Africa Cup of Nations 2025 final between Morocco & Senegal included controversial moment that later became known as the “towel incident”

Cameras showed players from both teams arguing after Moroccan players tried to remove towel belonging to Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy from the goal area.

The scene added more tension to final already filled with drama and strong emotions.

CAF official explains his position

Speaking to Canal+ Sport Afrique, Olivier Safari head of the referees committee at the Confederation of African Football said the situation should be reviewed for future competitions.

Safar explained that towel is not part of goalkeeper’s official equipment.

He said that if goalkeeper brings towel onto the pitch, it must be used in a fair and respectful way. If it starts to affect the game or cause protests, he believes it should be removed from the field.

Possible rule changes ahead

Goalkeepers around the world often use towels to wipe sweat or clean their gloves. However CAF is now considering limiting or banning towel use if it leads to disputes or unsporting behavior during matches.

Safari’s comments suggest that organizers may need to give clearer instructions to referees and teams to avoid similar incidents in future African tournaments.

Strong reactions online

The comments sparked strong reactions on social media, with many fans criticizing the idea and calling the discussion unnecessary.

Others supported CAF’s stance saying anything that causes tension inside the penalty area should be controlled.