The Africa Cup of Nations final descended into chaos on Sunday night, with Senegal players walking off the pitch in solidarity as they protested a controversial penalty decision in the dying minutes of the game.
The unusual protest began when Senegal’s coach Pape Thiaw instructed his team to leave the pitch after a stoppage-time penalty was awarded by the referee Jean-Jacques Ndala to the host country, Morocco.
West Ham’s El Hadji Malick Diouf was judged to have fouled Real Madrid star Brahim Diaz, leading the ref to consult VAR before awarding the penalty. All of Senegal’s players, except Liverpool star Sadio Mane and the coaching staff, retreated down the tunnel in protest.
Following an extended delay, they returned 17 minutes later back onto the pitch and the game was restarted.
However, Morocco’s penalty was squandered as Diaz attempted a Panenka, which ex-Chelsea keeper Edouard Mendy easily saved. Despite the controversy, Senegal triumphed in extra time with a 1-0 victory, leaving a lingering sense of what could have been.
FIFA President asks CAF to initiate disciplinary measures against Senegal
In the early hours of Monday, FIFA President Gianni Infantino took to Instagram to share his thoughts on the incident that saw Senegal temporarily refuse to play following the contentious penalty decision.
“We witnessed unacceptable scenes on the field and in the stands,” Infantino wrote on Instagram. “We strongly condemn the behaviour of some ‘supporters’ as well as some Senegalese players and technical staff members.
“It is unacceptable to leave the field of play in this manner, and equally, violence cannot be tolerated in our sport, it is simply not right.”
Following Infantino’s post, African media outlets reported that CAF has taken disciplinary actions against Senegalese coach Thiaw, suspending him in the process.
Following the suspension, speculations have run rife that Senegal may also be suspended from the 2026 World Cup. But it remains to be seen whether such an action will be taken by FIFA or not.
