Football governing bodies FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) have condemned the “unacceptable scenes” that marred Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations final in Rabat, with CAF pledging to take “appropriate action” against those found guilty.
The AFCON final between hosts Morocco and Senegal was disrupted late in normal time when referee Jean Jacques Mdala awarded Morocco a penalty following a VAR review for a challenge on Brahim Diaz, with the match level at 0-0.
In protest, most Senegal players walked off the pitch, while clashes broke out in the stands involving some Senegalese fans and Moroccan security personnel.
CAF, in a statement issued on Monday, condemned the behaviour of some players and officials but stopped short of assigning blame to either team.
The body said it is reviewing all available footage and will refer 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 continental governing body said.
“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 Senegal players later returned to the pitch after intervention from former Liverpool forward Sadio Mane, one of the few who initially remained on the field.
Senegal went on to win the final with a brilliant goal from Pape Gueye in extra time, stunning the vast majority of the 66,526 fans at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
‘Set the right example’
FIFA President Gianni Infantino also condemned the incident, describing the scenes as unacceptable. He criticised the decision to leave the pitch and the violence involving supporters.
“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,” said Infantino in a statement sent to AFP.
“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 praised Moroccoon “a fantastic tournament, both as runners-up and exceptional hosts” — a boost ahead of them co-hosting the men’s 2030 World Cup — said teams have to abide by the match officials’ decisions.
“We must always respect the decisions taken by the match officials on and off the field of play,” he said.
“Teams must compete on the pitch and within the Laws of the Game, because anything less puts the very essence of football at risk.”
Infantino, who will be hoping there are no such scenes in this year’s World Cup finals being co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, said images such as those on Sunday sent the wrong message to supporters round the world.
“It is also the responsibility of teams and players to act responsibly and set the right example for fans in the stadiums and millions watching around the world,” he said.
“The ugly scenes witnessed today must be condemned and never repeated. I reiterated that they have no place in football and I expect that the relevant disciplinary bodies at CAF will take the appropriate measures.”
‘Heat of the moment’
Senegal coach Pape Thiaw admitted to broadcaster beIN Sports that he had erred in telling the players to walk off.
“After thinking about it, I realised that I shouldn’t have asked them to go off. I apologise for that,” said Thiaw.
“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.”
However, Morocco coach Walid Regragui was worried by the damage done globally to African football by the chaotic final.
“The image we gave of African football was rather shameful. Having to stop the game for more than 10 minutes with the world watching is not very classy,” said Regragui.
CAF reiterated that disciplinary processes are ongoing and that sanctions will follow once investigations are concluded.
