FIFA President Gianni Infantino has called on the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to take firm action following the chaotic scenes that disrupted the Africa Cup of Nations final between Morocco and Senegal in Rabat.
The incident occurred late in normal time when Morocco were awarded a stoppage-time penalty after referee Jean-Jacques Ndala ruled that Brahim Díaz had been fouled inside the area. The decision, confirmed after a VAR review, sparked immediate protests from Senegal.
Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw ordered his players to leave the pitch in protest, with the majority of the team walking down the tunnel. Only Sadio Mané and members of the coaching staff remained on the sidelines as play was halted for more than 15 minutes.
After lengthy discussions, Senegal returned to the pitch and the match resumed. Morocco were unable to take advantage of the moment, as Díaz’s attempted Panenka penalty was saved by goalkeeper Édouard Mendy. The final later went into extra time, where Senegal scored the winning goal to claim the AFCON title.
In the hours after the match, Infantino addressed the incident on social media, condemning both the walk-off and the disorder seen during the final. He stressed that leaving the pitch in protest was unacceptable and said decisions by match officials must be respected at all times.
Infantino added that football authorities have a responsibility to protect the integrity of the game and ensure players and staff set the right example for supporters in the stadium and viewers around the world. He confirmed that he expects CAF’s disciplinary bodies to take appropriate steps.
CAF followed up with a statement on Monday morning, strongly criticising what it described as unacceptable behaviour by players and officials during the final. The organisation confirmed it will review match footage and refer the case to the relevant authorities for possible disciplinary action.
Reports emerging from Africa suggest that disciplinary proceedings have been opened, with claims that Senegal coach Pape Thiaw has since been suspended, although official confirmation is still awaited.
Following the match, Thiaw admitted that ordering his players to leave the pitch was a mistake. He said the decision was made in the heat of the moment and apologised, acknowledging that such actions do not reflect well on African football.
Despite Senegal’s eventual extra-time victory, the controversy surrounding the penalty decision and the walk-off has dominated discussion after the final, with CAF now under pressure to act as scrutiny over the incident continues.
