FIFA President Gianni Infantino and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) have strongly condemned the behavior of some Senegalese players and staff following the recent Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final held in Rabat, Morocco. The match, marred by controversy, saw Senegal defeat Morocco.
Infantino, in an official statement, described the actions as “unacceptable.” His criticism focused on the reaction to a penalty awarded to Morocco in the dying moments of added time. Senegalese players reportedly left the pitch in protest before eventually returning to complete the match.
“Leaving the field in this manner is completely unacceptable,” Infantino stated. He emphasized the importance of respecting referees’ decisions both on and off the field, adding that any behavior that violates the laws of the game threatens the very essence and values of football and cannot be tolerated under any circumstances.
The FIFA President also addressed the disturbances in the stands, where some fans attempted to invade the pitch. He reiterated that violence in football is completely unacceptable and urged the relevant CAF disciplinary bodies to take appropriate action.
CAF released a separate statement condemning the inappropriate conduct of certain players and officials during the AFCON final. The organization affirmed its complete rejection of any action targeting match officials or organizers.
“CAF is currently reviewing all recorded footage from the match,” the statement read. “The file will be referred to the competent authorities for the necessary disciplinary sanctions against those involved, in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations.”
The AFCON final victory for Senegal, secured by a goal from Pape Gueye in extra time, was overshadowed by unprecedented scenes of tension and disorder. The incident is expected to lead to significant repercussions for the individuals involved.
