FIFA President Infantino Condemns Senegal’s Behavior During AFCON Final
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has spoken out against the chaotic events that overshadowed Senegal’s victory in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final, labeling the actions of “some Senegal players” as “unacceptable.” This statement came in response to the uproar that erupted after Senegal’s players walked off the pitch in protest over a controversial penalty awarded to Morocco.
The dramatic incident unfolded deep into injury time of a tightly contested match, which was locked at 0-0. A VAR review led to a penalty decision after a challenge on Moroccan forward Brahim Diaz. In the midst of growing tensions, most of the Senegalese team left the field, inciting confrontations between fans and security personnel across the stadium.
Despite the chaos, the Senegalese players ultimately returned, only to witness Diaz’s weak penalty saved by their goalkeeper, Edouard Mendy. Senegal then rallied, with Pape Gueye scoring a brilliant goal in the fourth minute of extra time, sealing a shocking 1-0 win and stunning the home crowd of 66,526 at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
In a statement issued to AFP, Infantino condemned the actions of both players and fans, emphasizing, “It is unacceptable to leave the field of play in this manner, and equally, violence cannot be tolerated in our sport.” His comments aimed to highlight the unsporting behavior that tarnished the image of the sport and called for responsible conduct from teams and players.
Infantino also praised Morocco’s hosting of the event, noting that it served as a crucial opportunity for the country ahead of their co-hosting duties for the men’s World Cup in 2030. However, Moroccan coach Walid Regragui expressed concern about the impact on African football’s reputation following the chaotic final. “The image we gave of African football was rather shameful,” he remarked, referring to the lengthy stoppage during the match.
In the aftermath, Gueye explained that the team’s walk-off was fueled by a “feeling of injustice” over a prior goal disallowed for a questionable foul. He credited Sadio Mane, who remained on the pitch, for urging his teammates to return and complete the match.
Senegal’s coach, Pape Thiaw, later admitted that asking his players to leave the field was a mistake, recognizing the emotional nature of the moment. “I apologize for that,” he said, acknowledging the need to respect the referee’s decisions.
Infantino emphasized the importance of upholding respect for match officials, stating, “We must always respect the decisions taken by the match officials on and off the field of play… anything less puts the very essence of football at risk.” He expressed hope that such incidents would not mar the upcoming World Cup in the US, Canada, and Mexico.
