Several members of the Confederation of African Football's executive committee want the appointment of Jean-Jacques Ndala Ngambo as referee for the first leg of the Caf Champions League final overturned, with at least five members opposing the decision. [1]
Ndala is due to take charge of the first leg between Mamelodi Sundowns and AS Far in Tshwane on 17 May. [1]
The criticism stems in part from Ndala's role in the January Africa Cup of Nations final, where Senegal walked off in protest during a match that later became the subject of a legal dispute. Caf later awarded Morocco a 3-0 win after that final, and Senegal appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in March. [1]
One anonymous executive committee member said, "We have had a discussion among ourselves and many of us have made it very clear that the appointment of Ndala is not acceptable and that we want a change of referee." The same member said Ndala "should be facing very serious disciplinary measures for his conduct of the final" and called the appointment "a very big shame for African football" that would make the game "even more of a laughing stock." [1]
A top-ranking Caf administrative official described the appointment as a "PR own goal" and said Caf regulations prevent political authorities from interfering in referee appointments. [1]
Some executive committee members also object to Olivier Safari Kabene serving as one of the referee assessors for the final, citing a conflict of interest. The final is scheduled for 17 May in Tshwane. [1]
