CAF Mulls Ban on Goalkeepers' Towels After AFCON Fan Incidents

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is contemplating a ban on goalkeepers' towels following incidents during the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Goalkeepers like Nigeria's Stanley Nwabili and Senegal's captain Edouard Mendy faced challenges from fans retrieving towels left in the goal area.

CAF's Referees Committee, led by President Olivia Safari Keben, emphasized the need to go beyond crowd control and enforce existing rules strictly. The use of towels by goalkeepers to dry their hands for better grip has inadvertently led to distractions for opposing players and officials.

Concerns over fan intrusions and security breaches have prompted discussions on stricter enforcement and potential amendments to ensure player safety and fair play.