Conférence de Presse Dr President Motsepe - CAF

In this new dispensation than I was in the previous dispensation. And the numbers and the figures don't lie. And the facts don't lie. Because I can have my own interpretation, say it's wonderful, it's good, but if the facts and the numbers and the data doesn't support it, then it's incorrect. So, what's going to happen? We only had one competition that really made money. I want a competition every year, every year, every year. At this stage, with the exception of the year when there's a World Cup and we're also looking at that to even have a competition in that year. Now, the AFCON is about... it used to be 20 nations and we increased it to 24. Every year I'm going to have 54 nations in Africa, not 24 like in the AFCON, 54. 54. And unlike what happened in the past, I'm going to have the best African players who play in Europe. We are proud of them. The best African players who play in America, proud of them. In Asia, in South America, they're going to be part of this competition every year in Africa. Now, how much do I pay for the AFCON? I think when I became president, the first prize was maybe 4 million or something. 4 million and I immediately increased it to five. I don't know where the five was going to come from because we owed 150 million dollars at the time. And then increased it again to seven for Côte d'Ivoire.

With the AFCON. But of course the AFCON, there's a sentimental... It's like this grandmother who brought you up when your mother was working. She's got a special place in your heart and also always will have a special place in your heart. But you can't tell a grandma go to work in a Toyota. I love Toyotas. When you can take her to work in a BMW or a Mercedes Benz. I mean, whatever nice car. We have to improve all the time, become better, more competitive. And we have to listen to our sponsors. And of course we've got to listen to our fans. And we also have to listen to the media. So, I'm excited. There's a lot of work that still needs to be done. Part of my job is when I'm not president of CAF, because every leader there's a time to go and there's a time to leave. So, part of my job is the president who takes over from me must find a foundation and the leadership where they can continue the good work that we've done together. No organization succeeds because of an individual or because of a president. Doesn't exist. We've got 80,000 employees in the mining companies where we are either that we have formed as a family or where we are the biggest shareholder. 80,000 employees every day go to work. And we succeed not because of me, but because of all of these people and we've got to look after them, motivate them. And there's another 33,000 in the financial services companies where we are. So, in everything we do, we succeed because of the people we have the privilege to work with. And I'm very honored that, you know, I've had the privilege to work with some good people. And as I said, my job is to make sure that, you know, a few years down the line when I'm not president of CAF and I look at the leadership, and they should say together we've laid a good foundation and they must continue. Because I think a lot of the successes of what we are doing, the results will be seen a few years down the line. So, have I forgotten anything?

May I, President? Just remind me quickly. 100% President, I mean you spoke about the results here. When you took over AFCON making 5 million dollars, today sitting at revenues of 200 million dollars. And then for the first time you've got ticketing revenue. I mean, when you came in from zero, today 55 million US dollars on revenue ticketing alone. Well, the question is where's all that money going? And that money has to go to where it's supposed to go. Young boys and girls, academies. You know, we donated 10 million dollars from the Motsepe Foundation for schools football in Africa. Get schools football going. There's about 100,000 schools that participate. We're going to have millions of young Africans playing in these competitions. So, and of course ethics, governance, integrity. I have to make sure that the sponsors are convinced that every cent that this organization makes goes where it's supposed to go. Our member associations. And we have to stop employing people at CAF who, you know, who are there because it's a job. They must be there because they are well paid, well appreciated. And we want the best and the smartest. And I'm always disappointed when an employee comes and say I enjoyed my job, but I was offered more money by your competition. So, I'm also proud that we've significantly increased the salaries of the staff and there's a commitment to do more. I mean I'm not going to repeat the prize money. Of course, sorry, one quick issue. Women's football, very very important. You know, I can say all the wonderful things. It really means nothing if on the ground there isn't quantifiable, assessable success. We've spent a lot of money on women's football. It's coming up. I'm so proud. And it'll keep growing. So, I just want to conclude by saying that I want to thank the media. Have I forgotten anything? No, President. I mean President, have I forgotten anything? General Secretary? President, no. Madam, can you Madam Christine? Okay. So, as I said, part of this thing is to give for us an opportunity for you to ask whatever question you may want to ask. And we will see you next year in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda. And let me say this. We have a duty. My duty is to Africa. It starts there. But my second duty is I can only promote Africa if in those areas where we have to work together with the world, with Europe, with America, with Asia, with South America. In those areas we have to work together. The success of football in Europe is good. I want Europe, I want America, I want Asia. I want their football in those countries to keep growing and keep succeeding. And I'm clear that in Africa we are going to keep growing and keep succeeding. So, I just want to in conclusion say once more use gratitude to the people of Morocco. Thank you so much. Merci beaucoup to the people of Morocco. This is the spirit of Africa. Bring us all together. They took me to a university here in Morocco. 48 African countries have got students at that university. Beautiful. Beautiful. 88 countries from out worldwide. So, there's another 40 countries that have got students. We are part of a world where we want, where we have to work together. Our growth is the growth of all of us together. And then there's something else which might come back later. But and of course I want to thank the government and as I said thank his majesty King Mohammed the VI, may God assist him, assist him and thank the government and thank our brother Fouzi. There's one other point that they reminded me about. It just slipped my mind. Hopefully it'll come back when we take all the questions, okay? So, just one final thing. I hope we've tried to look well after the media. We're not doing you a favor when we treat you with respect and with the dignity you deserve. It's our duty. And I want to thank you for... There's 190 countries. 190. The official number is 180, but we are told that there's 10 others where they've got access in ways that they only know how. They have been watching African football. We are enormously grateful and we're grateful for you because you've carried some of that. And it's to a large extent because of you. And thank you for being with us and if there are ways that we can make your stay with us better, please let us know. Because, you know, we will be together next year. We'll be together during the year. And you've got a job to do. We have a job to do. We have a duty to try and help you in executing your job. It's good for us. You're not doing us a favor. Okay. Are we ready for questions now?

Yes, president. Just for the benefit of media, just to repeat those financial figures that revenues growing since the last AFCON by 95% of CAF ticketing revenue growing from 11 million from Côte d'Ivoire to 55 million US dollars and the sponsors from five when the president took over to 23 sponsors that are currently sponsoring this competition. Now, president, I'll take questions from the members of the media. So, what we'll do is we'll go to the right and some people are... say to me is the right wing the no right wing, right? And we'll go... We want to give everybody a chance. And I have to go to the match tonight because as I said I've had the privilege of seeing every one of the 24 nations. We'll go here and then we'll go to the left. And then we'll go back again just like that, okay? All right, president. I'll start that side if I can go in the front here. There you go. Yeah, in front of Satish. And just please ask your question in every language you want to because we will... Swahili, Wolof or whatever we'll translate. It will be more simple simply English, president.

Thank you so much. I wanted to come to Tunisia. I think I've and I will come this year. I've been to 48 countries of the 54. The others I've been to in various others. But I was advised not to go because of the problems at the time with the president of the member association. The feedback was that the family said wait a bit. So, there's a new president and I will definitely be coming. But thanks for that question because Tunisia has a proud football history and will be representing... the national team of Tunisia will be representing the people of Tunisia, but representing the 54 countries in Africa. How much did the AFCON cost? It cost us a lot of money. How much exactly? I'll give you the exact numbers because I'm getting feedback from Exco. They're pulling these numbers together. Roughly. Where's Richard? Richard is here. Richard is not here. Yeah, okay. We'll communicate with him. But you see, for us in the corporate world, it's... the bottom line is what are your profits? And I've got a very good idea of that. And partly why is because there's some expenses that some of our sponsors said we will take these expenses. And there's some expenses where we have to pay. But we've got new sponsors who are saying that in fact we've got current sponsors who are saying renew my contract and I'll help you with some of the current payments. So, we will release a statement and will be more specific with that. But I can tell you bottom line for me is this AFCON will be profitable. And that's a key issue. Because I can spend... Let me give you a better example. I can spend 500 million dollars. And then I only get 300 million dollars or 400 million dollars. I've got a problem. I can spend 100 million dollars and get 200 million dollars. It excites me. So, I had numbers in my mind because numbers are everything. And I'll give you the exact detail. I really want again... the government of Morocco has spent a lot of money. I can't, you know, we don't comment on behalf of any government. I think that those numbers you will get from the government. But I want to thank them because I mean I can see I saw what was going on in Cameroon and the first thing a few days after I became president, they said cancel Cameroon. It mustn't take place. They're not ready. You know, the government makes and then I went and they made promises which I believe was correct. They didn't fulfill them, but I wasn't going to allow Cameroon not to take place. It wasn't going to happen. I was not going to allow Cameroon not to succeed. So, I sent people. They were there all the time and it was successful. Thank you. I hope you don't mind. I'm going to try and answer some of the questions as quickly as possible so that we can take in as many as possible. Okay. You go.

You didn't follow the rule. It was one there. I think you like these people a lot and then one here and one there. Let me tell you and I want to tell you now because it complicates my life. It complicates my life. I've had so many countries that wants to host 2028. I've had so many countries that wants to host the African Nations League. And I think one thing I must tell you quickly about that is, you know, in 2029, we're going to have 54. It's important because 54 African nations, 54, participating in the African Nations League. All the players from overseas will be involved. They will be taking place during the FIFA window. So, can you imagine Nigeria playing Ghana? Côte d'Ivoire playing Cameroon? Egypt playing Morocco? Kenya playing Tanzania. So, all over. But, what we are going to do is there's going to be one country that will be identified as you are the host. So, even though in the FIFA window, all of the whole of the continent will be playing. Let me give you an example. Assuming we say Nigeria, Nigeria, you are going to host Africa Nations League 2029. You are host. So, what we will do is whereas in... and Nigeria is part of 16, I don't like that zone as the president of CAF because it's got the best football. All of them are excellent. You know, but you've got Nigeria playing Ghana. You've got Côte d'Ivoire playing Cameroon. It's not good for us when it comes to the World Cup because somebody's going to exclude somebody else. And I want all of them to compete with the rest. But, the point is we now go 2029, we say Nigeria, you are the host. So, what will happen is in Nigeria, the 16 nations that are part of West Africa will all play in Nigeria. They'll host them during the FIFA window. But, all the other zones, there'll be a draw there. So, you might find South Africa playing Zimbabwe. The draw will decide where they play. Kenya playing Uganda, the draw will decide. Egypt playing Algeria, the draw will decide. And then the winner, because that's going to take place between September-October, the winner of each of the zones will then come to Nigeria. They'll come to Nigeria to play against the winner of the West African zone. And that contest will then determine who the champions are. We've looked at what happens worldwide, and you've got to learn. You've got to see what has worked in other parts of the world, what has failed, and make sure that we implement what is the very best. So, you were asking me about has South Africa, has Tunisia... I'm going to have to do... CAF is going to have to do something that in strict compliance with the FIFA and CAF statutes and regulations. I mean, I've got heads of state who are phoning me. I don't decide. It's the CAF ExCo that decides. But, what I'm clear about is the quality of your infrastructure has to be worldwide, and we'll help you as well succeed. So, what we're going to have to do is to say, 'Okay, Senegal, you want to host the next African Nations League. Ethiopia has put in a bid. Morocco has put in a bid. Angola and others, can we allow Senegal to host it now? And then the next time we will give Angola a chance or Zimbabwe a chance. But, you've got to have the infrastructure. And then the next time, because we've already given Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda the AFCON next year. Let's give Ethiopia. 120 million people. I want to develop football here. And then we go to the north, we say, 'Let's give Egypt or Algeria or Tunisia a chance.' So, I need to give everybody a chance. But, where my life becomes complicated is when Ghana comes and says, 'Everybody's offering 100 million. I'm going to give you 200 million.' And whilst Ghana is talking about 200 million, Kenya says, 'I'm going to give you 300 million.' So, I've got to get a balance. Because I need to build infrastructure facilities throughout... There's still some countries in Africa, they don't play in their country. The national team and the football clubs don't play in their country. You cannot develop football if the fans and supporters of a nation cannot watch their national team or their clubs. So, part of my focus now is to make sure that in those countries where they still play outside, this $1 million and various others, we say, 'Now, listen, that money has to go to upgrading your stadium.' You've got to play in front of your supporters and your fans. I'm happy that we now have done... We show football on TV all the time. So, you're 100% right. We've got so many countries. And not just that, what makes it even more is you've got... I've got three countries that says, 'I want 2028. I want 2031. I want 2035. I want all three.' And because I want all three, I'm going to give you more money than anybody else. And you must be careful. Money is important, but life is never only about money. It's never been and can never be only about money. But, I need the money for infrastructure, for young boys and girls, for stadiums, for schools, for football pitches. And for making sure that the infrastructure and the stadiums are world-class. Who's here? It's the lady in the back. I think you don't like this gentleman in front. Can we start... My apologies. Can I start with you, please? My brother, can we start with you? Yeah. And then madam will come. We'll give you a chance.

It's a very very very... Let's clap hands for that. Please clap hands for that. No, no, a bit louder, please. Very very very good question. Very good question. It has taken us and I want to thank you for that question. It has taken us 4 years to be where we are. And you know, they say... We took a unanimous decision in CAF, you know, 100%. And I'll tell you why because if you think the problem of where we are now, those questions you were asking were issues that are just relevant now. Those were problems that I had to ask myself. I had to be the one who had to be convinced over the last 3 years. Now, let's go... Let me start with the Super League. The Super League is something that we started a pilot with the club football. And it went very well. We had proposals which were part of the plan. This numbers you were talking about, the 200 million was part of revenue. And why we didn't proceed as quickly as we did is because the partners that were giving us money, they were not giving us the sort of deals that we thought we would be happy with. So, and that's why we then took the 1 billion. Okay, now you talk about 200 million. I'm talking about 1 billion dollars for the national teams. And we took the focus there because we knew that that would put pressure on the clubs. But let me tell you something else that's more important. We have significantly increased the African Champions League, the club football. And made that significantly better. We've increased the Confederation's Cup prize money competition. We spent 13 million dollars which has never happened. Gave money to each one of those clubs. And so we are satisfied. You know, I've got people in CAF who say there's some journalists who... in the questions they ask is almost like they're talking for a constituency. And they're trying to embarrass and disgrace and they're trying to... they've got loyalties. Now, I don't care. I'm not interested in that. I'm interested in what you ask and my duty is to respond to those. So, it's not the president of CAF. It is the 54 nations in Africa who know football, I would say with all humility, much better than those who are not in the day-to-day involvement in the challenges about the infrastructure, the stadiums, and the money, and the that we need to pay for the players. So, we are absolutely satisfied. Where you are wrong, absolutely wrong. And your facts are incorrect. Now, just keep quiet now. Keep quiet. Keep quiet. I asked you a question and I kept quiet, so don't interrupt me. So, what I'm saying to you is where you are absolutely wrong is the revenue of the AFCON is significantly less than the revenue that we have implemented for the African Nations League. And we will be launching it...

In the next few years, we are absolutely convinced that we are not going to adhere to a competition format just because it has been there for the past few years. And where you are also talking absolute nonsense is to say to me that we will run Africa for Europe. Absolute rubbish. It's nonsense. You're insulting us. We run Africa for Africa. And our job is to listen to people like yourself and various others. And whether you're objective or not is irrelevant. But when you've got 54 nations in Africa saying that the African Nations League is world class, it doesn't matter how you look at African football. When I became president, member associations were getting 200,000. In fact, it was more like 150,000. We've increased it to 200,000. They're getting 400,000 now. And we have to take decisions that, from a populist perspective, may be regarded as being unpopular, but from a beneficial perspective, what does this mean for African football? Every single one of our 54 presidents say this is the best thing that has happened. And I'm confident over the years the results of what we are doing will speak for themselves. Any other questions? I think let's go that side. Just give it to... My apologies. Give the lady the mic at the back. Sorry, I forgot about you now.

If our people... I don't know, do you need a translator? You understand what I'm saying? Madam? Oh, thank you. Thank you. Yeah. So, you know, we can be convinced we are doing all the right things. But it's more important that ordinary football people on the continent are convinced that we are doing the right things. And you know, the decisions we have taken have taken many, many years. Let me give you a bad example. My sole or primary responsibility is African football. Now, you've got an agreement between CAF and FIFA, which is not CAF, the whole world. In the year of the World Cup, that period June-July, you can't have a competition. So, what happens then? Because this year June-July has been put aside 20, 30, 40 years for the World Cup. So, we have to have a competition, this current AFCON. It has to take place this year at all costs. The only time you have is December-January. Now comes a problem. The European clubs say, 'We're not going to release our players because we spend hundreds of... we spend billions of dollars on these players. We're not going to release them.' And we say, 'We don't care what you say. You're going to release them.' So, but we need allies. We then need to go and engage with other confederations because I think they've got to, you know, the family owns a football club. So, their concerns, I understand them. But my duty, my number one duty is Africa. So, I just want to conclude that for us, it's not AFCON every 4 years. The way it's been structured, it's AFCON every year. No, no, no, no. It's AFCON every year. You can say no until tomorrow. It doesn't change it. It's AFCON every year. We have in this current competition Morocco. We've got about 28 days that has been allocated. The African Nations League, the window period is going to be 22 for that period. And the difference is we are convinced, contrary to what you think, to have Nigeria play Ghana in either Accra or Lagos, it's good because it builds the local rivalries. To have Cameroon playing Côte d'Ivoire there, rather than playing them in Morocco, look, when you've got Cameroon playing Côte d'Ivoire here, you don't have the same attendance of supporters. When you've got them playing at home, the stadiums are full. The sponsors are keen. It doesn't only help the national team, it helps the club football. So, I agree with you. As I said to you, money is important, but nothing in life is only about money. It's about the quality of football. It's about what you said, the cultural significance. And we are absolutely satisfied. I'm convinced that it is... you know, we've looked at this over the last 3 years. We are convinced. And you will take time over time to realize that what we have done is definitely in the interest of African football. Okay. Next question. Can I just go to the back there, Mamadou, and then I'll come to the lady there. I promise I will come to you. Okay. Sorry. Mamadou and then the lady. No, but please, do you mind one person at a time? I mean, let's all have professional courtesy. We will go through this press conference, I promise you. She's my favorite, the lady who asked the question, so...

Yeah. Let me tell you, it's a good question. And I think part of being a leader is to deal with difficult, unpleasant decisions which we have to take, which are right and which are good for football. But it's more important that we've got to explain them. We've got to take people to come with us. And we are convinced over time they will indeed see that the decisions we're taking. Now, you know, I have a duty to develop football all over Africa. I can't have competitions only in those four countries where you've got the infrastructure. You've got to create opportunities for the other countries to build infrastructure at the level, World Cup level, that we want them and develop football in those countries as well. I'm confident that the AFCON in Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda will be enormously successful. Will there be challenges? It's like the World Cup Qatar. You know, we are going now to Canada, America, and Mexico. It's going to be there, going to be challenges. But that's why I was insisting that the CHAN takes place in those countries, even though they were not ready in February because I was convinced that it would help us enormously to make sure that we've got a successful AFCON next year in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda. But we are not going to take that competition away from those countries because I'm confident it's going to be successful. Next question. I'll go to the lady there, and then afterwards I come to Omar. This way? Yes, madam. Yes. Sorry, sorry.

Yeah. A very good question, but based on the shortage of tickets, the tickets were bought in the first day, all of them gone. And we're trying to make sure that we give opportunities to as many... I mean, I've had heads of state saying that, you know, they've got their families coming and they can't get tickets. So, it's a bit of a challenge because in the first day, all of the tickets where Morocco were involved, and Algeria, and I think Egypt and others just sold out. And so, we'll work on that, but as I said, the bottom line is the tickets are... I think they are fair. That's why we built fan zones, and some people will watch the game on TV. I think there's a question there. Omar at the back.

Sorry, what was not the good idea? To give it to them in the first place, or what?