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| AFCON 2025 Towel Controversy |
CAF’s Referees Committee president, Olivier Safari Kabene, has revealed the reason towels were not allowed in African football competitions, following growing debate during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Kabene explained that the decision is strictly based on the Laws of the Game, which require the field of play to remain free of any foreign objects that are not recognized as official player equipment.
According to him, towels do not fall under approved equipment such as jerseys, shorts, socks, or gloves, and their presence on the pitch can interfere with match control and fairness.
Following the 2025 AFCON goalkeepers’ towel controversy involving Nigeria’s Stanley Nwabali and Senegal’s Edouard Mendy, the issue gained widespread attention across Africa. During the tournament, images and clips circulated showing goalkeepers placing towels near the goal area, raising questions from fans and analysts.
Speaking on the matter, Kabene stressed that match officials have already been clearly instructed on how to handle such situations. He noted that towels must be kept away from the pitch and placed behind advertising boards or handed to team staff on the sidelines. This, he said, helps maintain a clean playing surface and prevents any object from influencing play, distracting players, or causing disputes during crucial moments of a match.
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