The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is considering prohibiting goalkeepers from placing towels inside or around their goalposts after a number of incidents disrupted matches at the recently concluded Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.
The debate gained traction after several games were interrupted by confrontations between players and fans, as spectators moved dangerously close to the goal area to collect towels left behind the net.
Nigerian goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali and Senegal’s captain, Édouard Mendy, were among those who had to confront supporters during tense moments that quickly went viral and sparked widespread concern.
In response, CAF’s Referees Committee has intervened, with its president, Olivier Safari Kebene, stressing that the issue extends beyond crowd management and directly concerns the Laws of the Game.
Addressing journalists during a press briefing on Tuesday, Kebene explained that match officials have been directed to strictly apply existing regulations requiring the pitch to remain free from unauthorised objects.
“The instruction is straightforward, and we have communicated this clearly to our referees. Under the Laws of the Game, the field of play must not contain any foreign items that are not part of standard playing equipment,” Kebene stated. “A towel does not qualify as player equipment. It is neither a jersey, shorts, nor gloves.”
Goalkeepers commonly use towels during matches, especially in hot or humid conditions, to keep their hands dry and maintain a firm grip. However, CAF insists that safety, order, and fairness must take precedence over convenience.
“We acknowledge the practical need for towels, but they must not be placed near the goal area. Instead, they should be kept behind advertising boards or with team officials,” Kebene added.
CAF further warned that towels tucked into the net or placed close to the goalpost could cause unintended problems, including distracting opposing players, blocking the referee’s view of critical moments, or even interfering with the ball during tight plays.
The incidents witnessed in Morocco also exposed another risk, as towels became a reason for fans to encroach into restricted areas of the pitch.
On multiple occasions, supporters leaned into the goalmouth to retrieve towels, triggering angry reactions from goalkeepers and raising renewed concerns over stadium security and player safety.
Although CAF has yet to officially announce a formal rule change or a blanket ban across its competitions, the organisation’s position indicates that stricter enforcement is imminent.
Match officials are expected to increase vigilance, while teams may soon be advised to modify their match routines to ensure no personal items are left near the goalposts.
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