CAF has officially launched an investigation into Zwelivelile Mandela, the grandson of former South African president Nelson Mandela, following his recent comments.
African football's governing body has announced that a probe has been launched regarding the political remarks made by Mandela during the opening ceremony of the 2022 African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Algeria last week.
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The event took place at the recently inaugurated Nelson Mandela Stadium in Baraki, where the iconic leader's grandson was a guest of the local organising committee for the tournament.
According to the BBC, during his speech, Mandela said, "The last colony of Africa, Western Sahara. Let us fight to free Western Sahara from oppression", while he also led a chant of "Free Palestine" with the 40 000-strong crowd in attendance
In response to the comments, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation sent a letter to CAF in protest, claiming that the outspoken figure's sentiments had no connection with the competition and that the statement was specifically aimed at the Kingdom of Morocco.
CAF has since revealed that they will be conducting an investigation into the matter, and will assess whether or not there is any wrongdoing on Mandela's part.
"The Confederation of African Football ('CAF') is under an obligation and a duty, in accordance with its Regulations and Statutes and those of FIFA, not to participate or get involved in politics and to be neutral on matters of a political nature," a statement from the organisation read.
"CAF has been informed that certain political statements were made during the opening ceremony of the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship ('CHAN') Algeria 2022 on Friday 13 January 2023 in Algiers.
"These political statements are not the statements of CAF and do not reflect the views or opinions of CAF as a politically neutral organisation.
"CAF will investigate and look into the political statements and events at the opening ceremony of the TotalEnergies CHAN Algeria 2022 and assess whether there was compliance with the CAF and FIFA Regulations and Statutes.
"CAF will give an update in this regard in due course."
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Algeria and Morocco have a long-standing conflict over the disputed territory of Western Sahara, with the tension between the two countries resulting in the latter nation pulling out of CHAN 2022 after the Algerians refuse to authorise the Moroccans to fly directly from Rabat to Constantine, where their group games were scheduled to be held.
Group C, which Morocco was initially in, was later reduced to just three teams, with the top two nations set to progress to the knockout rounds after the group stage.
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