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Morocco star Brahim Diaz fluffed a ‘Panenka’ penalty for the chance to win the Africa Cup of Nations, after the Senegal team had stormed off the pitch in protest
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The governing body of African football has confirmed it has opened disciplinary proceedings after Senegal players staged a mid-game walk-off during a chaotic end to the Africa Cup of Nations final.
The final in Rabat descended into chaos deep into stoppage time when hosts Morocco were awarded a penalty after a VAR review by Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala as Diaz went down the box under the challenge of El Hadji Malick Diouf.
Senegal, who had an opening goal disallowed for a soft foul on Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi moments before, were outraged and the majority of the Senegal team, led by head coach Pape Thiaw, stormed off the pitch, leading to a 14-minute delay.
When Senegal were convinced to come back onto the pitch by talisman Sadio Mane, Diaz, with the chance to win the trophy for Morocco in the 24th minute of stoppage time, chipped his penalty softly down the middle – resulting in the easiest of saves for goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.
The final then went to extra time, where Pape Gueye scored a stunning goal to win Senegal their second Africa Cup of Nations title in four years. Thiaw later apologised for his actions, but the Confederation of African Football (CAF) said it was reviewing footage and that disciplinary proceedings will follow, adding that it “condemns the unacceptable behaviour from some players and officials”.
Follow all the latest updates from the Afcon final below
It was the most monumental case of picking up your ball and going home in football history. Over the course of an extraordinary 16-minute exodus, Pape Thiaw and Senegal plunged the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations into infamy. Yet the toxicity has not been contained – next steps will be telling for the future of the competition, and perhaps for international football as a whole.
Comment by Will Castle:
Morocco head coach Walid Regragui called Senegal counter-part Pape Thiaw “shameful” after he led his players off the pitch in protest during a chaotic end to the Africa Cup of Nations final.
Senegal were angered by a controversial decision to award Morocco a penalty in the final minute of stoppage time and, fuelled by a sense of injustice, Thiaw called on his players to return to the dressing room.
Sadio Mane was praised for his role in avoiding further chaos at the Africa Cup of Nations final as the Senegal talisman convinced his team-mates to return to the pitch after Morocco were awarded a controversial penalty.
Senegal were angered when, deep into stoppage time, Morocco were awarded a penalty following a VAR review by Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala after Brahim Diaz went down under the challenge of El Hadji Malick Diouf.
Brahim Diaz was left in tears after his fluffed ‘Panenka’-style penalty cost Morocco their first Africa Cup of Nations title in 50 years in a chaotic final against Senegal.
The Real Madrid midfielder contentiously won the spot-kick deep into second-half stoppage time with the game still goalless, giving the Atlas Lions a golden opportunity to snatch the continental crown.
Morocco have been criticised by fans despite winning the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 fair play award after fans pointed out a towel trick used to unsettle Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy in the final.
The hosts lost 1-0 after extra time thanks to Pape Gueye’s extra-time strike in what descended into a volatile and controversial final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
Senegal‘s decision to storm off the pitch during the Africa Cup of Nations final came in the heat of the moment but football won in the end, goalkeeper Edouard Mendy said following his side’s controversial Afcon final win.
Senegal left the field in protest at a penalty awarded against them in stoppage time at the end of 90 minutes before returning to beat the hosts with Pape Gueye’s extra-time winner.
Senegal coach Pape Thiaw was roundly jeered and then walked out of his scheduled post-match press conference as the drama of Sunday’s contentious Africa Cup of Nations final continued well after the final whistle.
Thiaw ordered his players off the field in protest at a penalty awarded against them before they returned to beat hosts Morocco 1-0 after extra time and win the trophy.
Fifa president Gianni Infantino condemned the behaviour of Senegal players and members of the coaching staff saying violence and walk-offs had no place in football.
After congratulating Senegal on their title, Infantino said: “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.”
“The Confederation Africaine de Football (“CAF”) condemns the unacceptable behaviour of some players and officials during the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 Final between Morocco and Senegal in Rabat last night.
“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.”
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has said it will review footage of the Afcon final and that disciplinary proceedings will follow, adding that it “condemns the unacceptable behaviour from some players and officials.”
The statement, which was released on Monday, continued: “CAF is reviewing all footage and will refer the matter to competent bodies for appropriate action to be taken against those found guilty.”
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