• Senegal coach apologises, faces sanctions over final behaviour
• PGMOL boss criticises referee for poor judgment

World football governing body, FIFA, has described Senegal’s behaviour during the final game of the just-concluded Africa Cup of Nations hosted by Morocco as a disgrace and a dent on football’s reputation.

This is as Senegal coach Pape Thiaw has issued a public apology after his controversial decision to briefly withdraw his players from the pitch during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final against Morocco in Rabat on Sunday night.

The Lions of Teranga eventually returned to complete the match after Captain Sadio Mane’s pleas. The team won the AFCON final 1-0 in extra time, but the incident sparked heated debate across the football world.

The flashpoint came when referee Jean-Jacques Ndala from DR Congo awarded a penalty to Morocco’s Brahim Diaz shortly after disallowing a Senegalese goal.

Furious at the decision, Thiaw instructed his players to leave the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium pitch. It was only after Sadio Mane’s intervention, supported by veteran coach Claude Le Roy, that the team returned to continue the final.

Speaking to beIN Sports after the victory, Thiaw admitted his reaction had been misguided.

“We didn’t agree, that’s just it. After thinking about it, I don’t appreciate at all telling my players to get out. I apologise for football. I brought them back. Sometimes we can react in the heat of the moment.

“We wondered if this penalty could exist if our goal had been awarded before. But now we accept the referee’s mistakes; it can happen. We shouldn’t have done it, but it’s already done. We apologise.”

However, despite Thiaw’s apology, FIFA President Gianni Infantino urged the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to sanction the former Teranga Lions’ star for bringing the game into disrepute.

Infantino, who attended the AFCON final, slammed Senegal’s conduct, describing it as a sad ending to the game.

The chaos that began during the game continued after the match, with Thiaw’s press conference cancelled as Senegalese and Moroccan journalists argued in the meeting room.

Infantino posted on Instagram: “Unfortunately, we also witnessed unacceptable scenes on the field and in the stands.

“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.

“We must always respect the decisions taken by the match officials on and off the field of play. Teams must compete on the pitch and within the Laws of the Game, because anything less puts the very essence of football at risk.

“It is also the responsibility of teams and players to act responsibly and set the right example for fans in the stadiums and millions watching around the world. The ugly scenes witnessed today must be condemned and never repeated.

“I reiterated that they have no place in football and I expect that the relevant disciplinary bodies at CAF will take the appropriate measures.”

Meanwhile, English Premier League Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) former chief, Keith Hackett, has blamed referee Jean-Jacques Ndala and the VAR for the fracas that almost marred the AFCON final, saying that much of the drama could have been avoided had they come to a different decision on Senegal’s goal.

He said that Abdoulaye Seck made minimal contact with Hakimi when the PSG defender went down, with the referee blowing up as Sarr bundled in the rebound.

The official said, “I do believe that the ruling out of the goal was a very harsh decision by the referee who reacted to the defender going to ground too easily.

“When the forward ran into the penalty area, the defender tried to stop the attacker by holding out his arms.

“Football is a contact sport, and then the same forward also made contact with his opponent, and we witnessed the reaction by the defender, who went to ground far too easily.

“The defender’s reaction was an act of simulation. In my opinion, this goal should have counted. This goal should not have been ruled out.”