The head of referees at the Confederation of African Football has moved to settle the debate surrounding the presence of a towel near goalkeepers during matches, stressing that such an item should be removed to preserve the integrity of the game.
Speaking on Canal+ Sport Afrique, the CAF refereeing official explained that the intervention by match officials was justified, as the towel could potentially influence the course of play.
“Not Part of a Player’s Equipment”
The official underlined that a towel is not recognized as part of a player’s official equipment and therefore has no place on the field of play. “The towel must be kept away from the goalkeeper because it may affect what happens during the match,” he said, adding that referees are required to eliminate any object that could interfere with normal playing conditions.
He further noted that in situations of dispute or tension on the pitch, such items should be removed immediately, as they may have a direct or indirect impact on the game.
A Question of Fair Play
The CAF referees chief also warned that the use of unauthorized objects could be interpreted as unsporting behavior or even as an attempt to influence the outcome of a match. “Using a towel on the pitch is unacceptable and may be seen as an effort to affect the flow of the game,” he stressed.
With this clarification, CAF aims to reinforce refereeing consistency and uphold the principles of fair play and neutrality, ensuring that matches are decided solely by sporting performance, without external or questionable elements.
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