CAF responds on why they scrapped some awards categories

by Phumzile Ngcatshe

Friday Jan 05, 2018. 15:00

The Confederation of African Football’s president Ahmad Ahmad has defended the body's decision to remove the Africa-based Player of the Year category from its 2017 Awards.

The continental football governing body also removed the Referee of the Year accolade last month after 10 footballers and six referees had originally been shortlisted for the accolades.

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"It's very simple, we want to promote African football," said Ahmad.

"There's no two levels of football in Africa. Best is best, not best for the bad or best for the best. That's the reason.

"Best player in Africa is the young player. If you want to go up, don't stay down. Don't sit down.”

The CAF boss added that referees already have their own awards as he responded why that gong has also been scrapped.

"The referees already have their own awards by being recognised for high profile games,” adds Ahmad.

"Based on the locations of the referee, they're rewarded with - say for example - the champions league quarterfinals and subsequent games.

"Another argument is that it is unethical. The committee believes that by giving referees awards, it may lead to some corruption at a latter stage."