Former France forward Thierry Henry and ex-Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher have offered sharply contrasting views on refereeing at the just concluded 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), following controversy during the tournament’s final, reigniting debate over officiating standards and development in African football .
Speaking on CBS Sports Golazo after the final, Henry said the refereeing was “not at the level of the show,” but stressed his criticism was aimed at systems and training, not individual officials. Henry argued that referees need better preparation to match the pace and quality of elite modern football, adding that responsibility lies with those who oversee education and development rather than with match officials themselves.
Carragher, reacting to the same incidents, suggested that European referees could be considered for AFCON matches to help raise standards, a comment that drew immediate pushback from Henry. Henry rejected the idea, insisting that African referees must officiate African tournaments and be given the opportunity and resources to develop within their own confederation rather than being replaced .
The exchange followed a turbulent final marked by disputed decisions that led to protests on the pitch and briefly halted play. While Henry condemned any walk-off or disruption of the match, he acknowledged players’ frustration and reiterated the need for structural improvements to avoid repeat incidents at future tournaments .
Henry’s comments were widely circulated online, with some interpretations suggesting he questioned the legitimacy of African officiating. A review of his remarks shows he did not call for the removal of African referees, nor did he allege bias or misconduct; instead, he advocated enhanced training and institutional support to align officiating with the tournament’s growing quality and profile .
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has indicated it will review refereeing performances and incidents from the final as part of its post-tournament assessment, amid broader calls from players, coaches and pundits for sustained investment in referee development across the continent .
AFCON 2025 concluded as one of the most watched editions in the competition’s history, underscoring the stakes of the debate as African football continues to expand its global audience and expectations around governance and standards grow accordingly .
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