AFCON: CAF Cautions ‘Media Practitioners’ Over Unprofessional Conduct

• Engages ‘COCAN’, Police on workable solutions
• Says journalists not fans are welcome in media centres

BY VICTOR OSOWOCHI – The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has frowned at the escalating unbecoming and unprofessional behaviour of some “media practitioners” in working spaces at the ongoing TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations tagged ‘Cote d’Ivoire 2023‘.

Consequently, the administrative and controlling body for association football in the continent has held a meeting with the Local Organising Committee (“COCAN”) and Police to discuss the situation and find workable solutions.

Engaging several organisations representing Journalists at the tournament, CAF raised serious concerns about the behaviour of some “journalists” in media tribunes, media centres and mixed zones.

Specifically, the football body is unhappy and frowns at a situation where most media practitioners covering the tournament have become so emotionally and physically involved with their countries’ national teams and their performances to the extent of displaying unruly behaviours against their colleagues and even CAF’s officials during matches

A statement released by CAF’s Communication Department on Friday said; “While we understand that we are all Football fans and are passionate about our National Teams, journalists are expected to observe professional standards.

“Fans must not be in the Media Tribune – there are plenty of seats at the Stadium for this.”

To address its concerns, the football governing body stated thus; “Please note the following:

1. Going forward any media practitioner who is involved in wild celebrations and abuses other media colleagues will be immediately removed by Security and his/her Accreditation will be withdrawn.

2. Any media representative who is involved in a fight in media areas or a physical scuffle will have his/her Accreditation withdrawn.

3. Any journalist (Non-Rights Holder) who films in the Media Tribune will be removed and his/her Accreditation withdrawn.

4. Any media practitioner who uses vulgar in media areas either against Coaches, Players or his/her peers will have the Accreditation withdrawn.

5. Any journalist who is live streaming in the Mixed Zone will have his/her Accreditation withdrawn.

6. Use of Drones is strictly prohibited.

7. Media cannot film inside the stadium (Only the media centre, press conference room).

The statement added that “for further inquiries, please contact: communications@cafonline.com