FIFA president condemns Senegal's behavior: 'It is unacceptable to leave the pitch in such a malicious manner'
The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final, held on Sunday evening, January 18, 2026, at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, sparked considerable controversy after the Senegalese players temporarily walked off the pitch in protest against a penalty awarded to Morocco in the eighth minute of stoppage time. Despite Senegal's return after 15 minutes, Ibrahim Diaz's missed penalty, and Senegal's eventual victory with a goal by Pape Gueye in extra time, the chaotic scenes both on and off the field prompted FIFA President Gianni Infantino to issue a strongly worded statement of condemnation.
Infantino's Statement: Double Condemnation of Players and Fans
Infantino posted a message on his official Instagram account, stating:
- "We strongly condemn the behavior of some fans, as well as some Senegalese players and staff."
- "Leaving the pitch in this manner is unacceptable, and likewise, violence cannot be tolerated in our sport."
- "We must always respect the decisions made by match officials both on and off the field."
- "I expect the relevant disciplinary bodies within the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to take appropriate action."
Context of the incident: Temporary walkout and clashes in the stands
The international referee awarded a penalty to Morocco in the final minutes of regular time, prompting the Senegalese players to walk off to the dressing room on the instructions of coach Pape Thiaw. The stoppage lasted 15 minutes amidst a tense atmosphere before the players returned. Clashes broke out in the stands between some fans and security forces, with projectiles being thrown and minor acts of vandalism occurring.
Despite the missed penalty and Senegal scoring the winning goal in extra time, the scenes sparked widespread criticism both within and outside the continent, with many considering them a violation of the spirit of the game and sportsmanship.
Reactions: Calls for severe penalties to prevent a recurrence of such behavior
CAF under pressure: The CAF Disciplinary Committee is expected to open a formal investigation and may issue sanctions ranging from fines and point deductions to even match suspensions for the Senegalese national team or its coaching staff.
Senegal's defense: Coach Pape Thiaw asserted that the withdrawal was "a legitimate protest against a wrong refereeing decision," indicating that the players felt wronged and wanted to protect themselves from the fans' anger.
Public opinion: Observers were divided between those who saw the withdrawal as "unprofessional" and those who considered it a natural reaction to "refereeing injustice" in a crucial match.
Conclusion: A test of CAF's credibility
This event is one of the most controversial moments in the history of the Africa Cup of Nations finals, and it presents the Confederation of African Football (CAF) with a real test of its ability to apply its disciplinary regulations rigorously and impartially. While the Senegalese national team celebrates its second title, the open question remains: Will the team and its fans face severe penalties, or will the incident simply be forgotten as part of the "continental drama"?
