The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced a formal investigation into the conduct of players, coaches, and officials following the dramatic and controversial conclusion of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final between Senegal and host nation Morocco in Rabat.
The highly anticipated final, played on Sunday, was intense but largely controlled for much of the contest. However, the atmosphere deteriorated sharply in the closing moments after two contentious officiating decisions went against Senegal, sparking widespread outrage and disorder both on and off the pitch.
Tensions first escalated when a goal scored by Senegal’s Ismaila Sarr was disallowed, a decision that immediately drew protests from Senegalese players and supporters. Moments later, the situation worsened when Morocco were awarded a penalty after Real Madrid forward Brahim Díaz went down inside the penalty area. The decision was reviewed and upheld by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), further inflaming emotions.
The penalty call triggered angry reactions in the stands and heated confrontations on the field and in the technical areas. Amid the confusion, Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw appeared to signal his players to walk off the pitch in protest. The team briefly left the field of play, retreating down the tunnel as the match descended into chaos.
Order was eventually restored following the intervention of Senegal captain Sadio Mané, who persuaded his teammates to return to the pitch. The stoppage lasted approximately 17 minutes, during which security personnel and police were deployed to calm unrest among spectators.
Despite the turmoil, Morocco failed to capitalize on the penalty opportunity, with Brahim Díaz missing from the spot. The match proceeded into extra time, where Senegal ultimately emerged victorious thanks to a decisive goal from Pape Gueye, sealing their AFCON triumph. Nevertheless, the dramatic scenes had already overshadowed what should have been a celebratory finale to the tournament.
In a strongly worded statement released after the match, CAF condemned the behavior witnessed during the final. The governing body emphasized its zero-tolerance stance on misconduct, particularly actions directed at match officials or tournament organizers.
CAF confirmed that it is reviewing all available footage from the pitch, technical areas, and spectator stands. The matter will be referred to the appropriate disciplinary bodies, with sanctions expected for individuals found to have breached regulations.
The controversy extended beyond the field of play, as Senegal’s post-match press conference reportedly descended into heated arguments between journalists and officials before being abruptly cut short.
As the investigation continues, CAF’s findings and subsequent decisions are expected to have significant implications, potentially leading to fines, suspensions, or other disciplinary measures. The incident has reignited discussions around officiating standards, crowd control, and sportsmanship at major continental tournaments.
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