By Kazeem Ajibola Shoyebo
Former France international Thierry Henry has weighed in firmly on the debate over refereeing at the recently concluded Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025, dismissing suggestions to bring in European officials and instead urging significant investment in the education and development of African referees. His remarks, made during an appearance on CBS Sports Golazo, come in the aftermath of a chaotic final between Senegal and Morocco that sparked widespread debate about officiating standards.
After former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher proposed the idea of inviting top European referees to oversee key matches at AFCON in order to raise officiating standards, Henry was quick to reject the suggestion. “You have to give African referees a chance. It is an African tournament, and it has to have African referees,” Henry said, stressing that the competition should remain officiated by officials from the continent it represents.
Henry acknowledged that mistakes during AFCON 2025 — especially in the final where Senegal briefly walked off the pitch in protest over a late penalty decision — highlighted broader issues with officiating. Yet he was clear that the problem lies not with individual officials but with the systems responsible for preparing them. “The referees are not at the level of the show… I’m not blaming the referees; I blame the people who don’t train them to be at the level of the football we are watching,” he said, calling for greater focus on referee training and development to match the increasing quality of football on display.
Henry also praised the overall organisation and quality of AFCON 2025, including Morocco’s hosting, while condemning players walking off the field during the final. “That’s not the image you want to give… but it shouldn’t define how the tournament was conducted,**” he said.
His intervention reflects growing debate about refereeing standards in African football, particularly in high-pressure matches where critical decisions can influence outcomes and perceptions of fairness. Rather than bringing in external officials, Henry’s stance advocates for structured development programmes to build officiating capacity within Africa.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has already acknowledged the controversies and launched an investigation into the events of the final, underscoring the importance of ongoing review and potential reforms in officiating processes.