FIFA President Gianni Infantino has criticized the behaviour of some Senegal players after Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations final descended into chaos, during which the team briefly walked off the pitch in protest against a penalty awarded to Morocco.
“We strongly condemn the behaviour of some ‘supporters’ as well as some Senegalese players and members of the technical staff,” Infantino said in a statement to AFP.
The match, tied 0-0 late in regulation, was interrupted when VAR awarded Morocco a penalty for a challenge on Brahim Diaz. In protest, most Senegal players left the field, while clashes erupted between some fans and Moroccan security elsewhere in the stadium.
Senegal eventually returned to the pitch, and goalkeeper Edouard Mendy saved Diaz’s penalty. The West African side went on to win in extra time with a brilliant goal from Pape Gueye, silencing the 66,526-strong crowd at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
Infantino condemned the walkout and violence, stressing that such conduct is unacceptable in football.
He also praised Morocco for their organisation of the tournament, describing it as a positive step ahead of the country’s co-hosting of the 2030 men’s World Cup.
Morocco coach Walid Regragui, meanwhile, voiced concern about how the incident reflected on African football.
“The image we showed of African football was rather shameful,” he said. “Stopping the game for more than 10 minutes with the whole world watching is not classy.”
