Tension has reportedly gripped the Referees Committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as internal disagreements threaten to upend officiating arrangements for the quarter-final stage of the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Sources close to the committee revealed that the final confirmation of match officials for the quarter-final fixtures has been delayed, with some referees initially pencilled down for key matches now facing possible removal. The development comes just days before the tournament enters its decisive phase, raising concerns over preparedness and consistency.

The unrest is understood to be linked to growing dissatisfaction among senior CAF officials over the quality of refereeing witnessed so far in the competition. Several controversial decisions during the group stage and the round of 16 have attracted widespread criticism from teams, supporters, and football analysts, prompting intense internal reviews within CAF.

It was further gathered that disciplinary measures are being considered against at least one high-profile referee for allegedly violating competition regulations by wearing boots from a brand not listed among CAF’s official sponsorship partners. The incident is said to have added another layer of tension within the refereeing body at a critical moment of the tournament.

CAF is expected to take decisive action in the coming hours as it seeks to restore confidence in officiating standards and guarantee a hitch-free conclusion to AFCON 2025. However, as of the time of filing this report, the continental football body has yet to issue an official statement on the matter.

The uncertainty surrounding match officials has heightened scrutiny on CAF’s refereeing framework, with stakeholders keenly watching how the governing body manages the situation as the competition approaches its climax.