CAF Considers Banning Towels in Football After AFCON Controversies

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is considering banning the use of towels in football matches after several incidents during the Africa Cup of Nations. Olivia Safari, a member of the CAF Referees Committee, proposed a review of regulations regarding the use of towels by goalkeepers.

The controversies arose during matches involving Nigeria, Morocco, and Senegal, where goalkeepers like Stanlei Nwabali, Edouard Mendy, and Yehvann Diouf were repeatedly distracted by towels. The incidents led to disruptions on the field, with players and officials getting involved in removing the towels.

Despite the distractions, Senegal emerged as the champions of the tournament. Pape Thiaw, the head coach of Senegal, addressed the issue, hinting at possible regulatory changes to prevent such disruptions in future competitions.