FIFA, CAF condemn chaotic scenes at AFCON Final, vow to take action
Football governing body FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) have condemned the chaotic scenes that marred the final match of the Africa Cup of Nations in Rabat, with CAF pledging to take appropriate action.
The Senegal team had stormed off the field in protest, after a penalty was controversially awarded against them towards the end of normal time.
The team had earlier protested the referee’s decision to disallow a goal they scored in the second added minute.
Senegal’s coach Pape Bouna Thiaw, in response, ordered his players off the pitch after the penalty was awarded, following a VAR check by Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala.
The match which was delayed for 14 minutes as a result of the incident only continued after Senegal’s star player Sadio Mane persuaded his team mates to return to the pitch.
CAF reacting to the incident in a statement issued on Monday, condemned the incident, stating that it was reviewing available footages before referring the matter to its disciplinary bodies.
“The Confederation Africaine de Football (CAF) condemns the unacceptable behaviour from some players and officials during the CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 Final between Morocco and Senegal in Rabat last night,” the statement read.
“CAF strongly condemns any inappropriate behaviour which occurs during matches, especially those targeting the refereeing team or match organizers.
“CAF is reviewing all footage and will refer the matter to competent bodies for appropriate action to be taken against those found guilty,” it added.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino also condemned the incident, describing the scenes as unacceptable.
“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,” Infantino said in a statement.
“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,” he said.
Praising the host country Morocco, FIFA President said: “a fantastic tournament, both as runners-up and exceptional hosts.”
He noted that the ugly scenes witnessed during the competition must be condemned, as it has no place in football, while leaving disciplinary actions in the hands of CAF.
Senegal’s coach while speaking to reporters apologized for his decision to walk his players off the football pitch.
“After thinking about it, I realised that I shouldn’t have asked them to go off. I apologise for that,” he said.
“Sometimes you can react in the heat of the moment. Before that we scored a goal that was not given. But now we accept that referees do make mistakes and we apologise.”
