Senegal were crowned Africa Cup of Nations champions after a chaotic and controversial final against hosts Morocco in Rabat, marked by disputed refereeing decisions, a 16-minute walk-off by Senegal’s players, crowd disorder and unprecedented scenes involving VAR.
The decisive moments came late in normal time and during extra time, with a Senegal goal ruled out in stoppage time, a VAR-awarded penalty for Morocco that was saved, and a stunning extra-time strike that ultimately settled the contest. The match descended into disorder both on and off the pitch, prompting condemnation from football authorities.
How the action unfolded
In the second minute of stoppage time, Senegal believed they had secured victory when Ismaila Sarr bundled the ball over the line after Abdoulaye Seck’s header rebounded off the post. Celebrations were cut short almost immediately when referee Jean-Jacques Ndala blew his whistle for a foul on Achraf Hakimi, ruling that Seck had brushed the defender as he attempted to block his movement. The decision drew furious protests from Senegal’s players and staff, and appeared to receive limited scrutiny from VAR.
Play resumed with the score still goalless. Three minutes later, Morocco’s Brahim Díaz went down in the penalty area under a challenge from left-back El Hadji Malick Diouf, claiming he had been pulled to the ground. After protests from Díaz, the incident was reviewed by VAR and Ndala was sent to the pitchside monitor. He subsequently awarded a penalty to Morocco.
The decision triggered chaotic scenes. Senegal’s technical staff and players confronted Moroccan counterparts, arguments spread into the stands, and Senegal’s Gaindé supporter group began climbing over advertising hoardings. Stewards and riot police were forced to intervene as objects were thrown onto the pitch, electronic boards were damaged, and one steward was taken away on a stretcher.
Amid the disorder, Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw instructed his players to leave the field in protest. The match was suspended for 16 minutes. During that delay, Moroccan staff and ball boys repeatedly attempted to take Édouard Mendy’s towel, leading to a physical confrontation involving Senegal substitutes and staff.
Senegal eventually returned to the pitch after captain Sadio Mané went into the dressing room to urge his team-mates to resume play.
When the match restarted, Mendy was booked for appearing to scuff the penalty spot. Díaz then stepped up to take the kick but attempted a Panenka, which Mendy saved comfortably.
Just minutes into the first period of extra time, Pape Gueye struck a powerful effort from outside the box to give Senegal the lead. They held on to secure the title, while Moroccan fans whistled and tempers continued to flare on the pitch and in the press box, where journalists were involved in physical altercations.
Díaz was later seen in tears as he received the Golden Boot award from FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
Reaction from players and coaches
Morocco head coach Walid Regragui criticised Thiaw’s decision to take his team off the pitch.
“The image we have given of Africa is shameful,” Regragui said. “A coach who asks his players to leave the pitch does not honour Africa. He was not classy. But he is a champion.”
Regragui later defended his own position despite calls from some journalists for his resignation, saying, “To win the Africa Cup is not easy. We were very close. We have to accept what has happened, be humble and come back stronger.”
Thiaw later apologised for his actions, admitting he acted in the heat of the moment.
“I accept that I should not have ordered my team off the field,” he told beIN Sports. “I apologise to football. After reflecting, I made them come back. We accept the referee’s errors, and we accept our own.”
Sadio Mané said resuming the match was essential.
“It would have been crazy not to play this game because of a penalty,” he said. “Football should not stop for 10 minutes. The world was watching, and we have to give a good image of football.”
Midfielder Lamine Camara credited Mané with restarting the match. “When Sadio speaks, everyone listens,” he said.
Official response and disciplinary review
The Confederation of African Football condemned what it described as “unacceptable behaviour of some players and officials”. It confirmed it is reviewing footage of the final before referring cases to disciplinary bodies.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino also criticised the scenes. “It is unacceptable to leave the field of play in this manner,” he said, adding that violence “has no place in football” and that refereeing decisions must be respected.
Wider context and impact
The final came after weeks of heightened tension around refereeing and VAR at the tournament, with accusations from fans and journalists that Morocco, as hosts, had benefited from key decisions. Refereeing appointments themselves became a major topic of debate on social media, placing officials under intense scrutiny.
Senegal had also raised concerns before the final over security arrangements, accommodation, ticket allocations and training facilities. The team bus was surrounded by fans upon arrival in Rabat, prompting the Senegal Football Federation to warn that players and staff had been placed at risk.
Morocco was widely praised for the organisation and infrastructure of the tournament, including by leading players such as Mohamed Salah. However, with four years to go until the country co-hosts the World Cup, the scenes surrounding the Díaz penalty and the subsequent breakdown in order are likely to overshadow much of the competition’s legacy.
The final press conferences mirrored the chaos of the match itself. Thiaw was met with mixed reactions; Moroccan journalists walked out, arguments erupted among media members, and the briefing was eventually abandoned by officials.
What was intended to be a showcase event for African football ended in controversy, disciplinary reviews, and a broader debate over refereeing standards, crowd control, and governance at the continent’s biggest tournament.
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