FIFA president Gianni Infantino has criticised the actions of some Senegalese players and officials following scenes that nearly derailed Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations final, despite Senegal eventually lifting the trophy.
What should have been a celebration of African football was overshadowed late in the game when several Senegal players walked off the pitch in protest after Morocco were awarded a penalty. The decision came deep into added time, with the match still goalless, after a VAR review judged that Brahim Diaz had been fouled in the box.
As tensions boiled over on the field, chaos erupted in the stands. Groups of Senegal supporters clashed with Moroccan security officials, with reports of chairs being smashed during the confrontation. The match was halted for close to 20 minutes before order was restored.
When play resumed, Diaz stepped up to take the penalty but failed to convert, firing a weak attempt straight at Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. Senegal later capitalised on their reprieve, with Pape Gueye scoring early in extra time to seal a dramatic 1–0 victory in front of 66,526 stunned fans at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
Reacting to the incident, Infantino expressed strong disapproval of the conduct displayed during the stoppage. In a statement shared with Zoyols Blog, he said the decision by players and officials to leave the pitch was unacceptable, adding that violence from supporters had no place in football. He stressed that such behaviour undermines the spirit of the game.
While praising Morocco for successfully hosting the tournament — a key milestone ahead of their role as co-hosts of the 2030 men’s World Cup — Infantino noted that the events of the final sent the wrong message to a global audience.
Morocco head coach Walid Regragui echoed those concerns, lamenting the damage done to the image of African football. He described the prolonged stoppage, broadcast live around the world, as embarrassing and far from the standards the continent should be projecting.
Infantino appeared careful not to single out Senegal captain Sadio Mane, who remained on the pitch throughout the incident and reportedly urged his teammates to return so the match could continue. Senegal’s anger stemmed partly from an earlier disallowed goal, which they felt should have stood after the referee declined to consult VAR.
The unrest in the stands worsened the situation, with some Senegal fans attempting to access the pitch while fighting with security staff. Only after calm was restored could the penalty be taken.
Speaking after the match, Gueye admitted the team’s reaction was driven by frustration and a sense of injustice. He said the players felt wronged by earlier decisions but credited Mane for helping refocus the team.
Senegal coach Pape Thiaw later accepted responsibility for the walk-off, admitting he acted rashly in the heat of the moment. He offered an apology, acknowledging that referees, like players, can make mistakes and that his team should have handled the situation better.
Infantino reinforced that point, insisting that respect for match officials is non-negotiable. He warned that ignoring referees’ decisions threatens the foundations of the sport and sets a poor example for fans watching in stadiums and at home.
As attention turns to upcoming global tournaments, Infantino made it clear that scenes like those witnessed in Rabat must not be repeated. He added that disciplinary bodies within African football are expected to review the incident and take appropriate action to ensure such behaviour is stamped out.
