The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has approved a series of changes to its Interclub Competition regulations, introducing greater flexibility in player registration and strengthening the process for handling disciplinary cases.
The decisions were approved by the CAF Executive Committee, chaired by CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe, as part of efforts to improve the administration and organisation of the continentβs major club competitions.
One of the most significant changes allows players to represent more than one club during the same CAF Interclub season.
The new provision could have important implications for clubs participating in the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup, particularly during transfer windows when players move between clubs while continental competitions are still ongoing.
Under the revised regulations, each club will also be permitted to register a maximum of 40 players at any point during the season.
CAF has further introduced a provision allowing clubs to make up to four player replacements during the final registration period.
However, the replacement rule comes with a condition.
The players being replaced must not have appeared in any CAF Interclub match during the season.
This means clubs will need to carefully manage their squads and registration decisions to take advantage of the provision.
CAF Changes Disciplinary Process
Another major adjustment concerns the handling of disciplinary matters in CAF Interclub competitions.
Under the new arrangement, disciplinary cases will no longer be handled by the Interclub Committee. Instead, all disciplinary matters will now fall under the jurisdiction of the CAF Disciplinary Board.
The change is expected to provide a more centralised structure for dealing with disciplinary issues arising from CAF club competitions.
The latest decisions represent a significant adjustment to the regulatory framework governing African club football and could affect how participating clubs manage their squads throughout the season.
The CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup remain the continent’s two major men’s interclub competitions, with clubs across Africa competing for continental honours.
With the new regulations now approved, participating clubs will have to adapt their squad planning, player registration and disciplinary procedures to comply with the updated CAF framework.
Key CAF Interclub Competition Changes
Players can now represent more than one club during the same CAF Interclub season.
Each club can register a maximum of 40 players at any point during the season.
Clubs can replace up to four players during the final registration period.
Players being replaced must not have featured in any CAF Interclub match during the season.
All disciplinary matters will now be handled by the CAF Disciplinary Board rather than the Interclub Committee.
The changes are expected to influence squad management and player movement as African clubs compete in CAF’s premier continental competitions.
