Senegal set to be sanctioned after AFCON drama
Senegal are set to be sanctioned for walking off the field in protest at a penalty award in the Africa Cup of Nations final.The team were led off the field by head coach Pape Thiaw after hosts Morocco were awarded a penalty in the eighth minute of stoppage time following a VAR review, seconds after Senegal had a goal ruled out.Play finally resumed 16 minutes later when the players returned to the field, with Morocco's Brahim Diaz missing the penalty and Senegal going on to win the match in extra-time thanks to a spectacular strike from Pape Gueye.Their celebrations will be tempered by the likelihood of disciplinary consequences for the walk-off, with tournament organisers the Confederation of African Football (CAF) taking a dim view of the incident."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," a statement from the confederation said."CAF strongly condemns any inappropriate behaviour which occurs during matches, especially those targeting the refereeing team or match organisers."CAF is reviewing all footage and will refer the matter to competent bodies for appropriate action to be taken against those found guilty."FIFA president Gianni Infantino echoed the sentiments expressed by the African governing body, and after congratulating the winners, he 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."Thiaw was roundly jeered and then walked out of his scheduled post-match press conference as the drama continued well after the final whistle.Thiaw had been expected to explain his decision at the post-match press conference but when he entered the room the coach was jeered by Moroccan journalists, while their Senegalese counterparts clapped.Failure by officials to quieten a rowdy room then saw Thiaw leave.He later apologised for his decision to withdraw the Senegal players after the penalty had been awarded to Morocco."After reflecting on it, I made them come back (on the pitch) - you can react in the heat of the moment," Thiaw told beIN Sports."We accept the errors of the referee. We shouldn't have done it but it's done and now we present our apologies to football."Morocco head coach Walid Regragui attacked Thiaw for leading Senegal's walk-off protest, saying: "The image we've given of Africa is shameful."A coach who asks his players to leave the field. What Pape did does not honour Africa. Thiaw wasn't classy."But he is a champion, so he can say whatever he wants. We stopped the match in the eyes of the world for 10 minutes."Former Liverpool forward Sadio Mane seemed most reluctant to join the protest and said his country would have been "crazy" not to finish the game."It would have been a shame and sad to see this kind of scenario happen," Mane told reporters about the possibility that the game might be abandoned."Just imagine for a second going into the locker rooms and the football match stopping there."I think that would convey a negative image of our football. I think Africa today does not deserve that."African football has evolved in an incredible way and the proof is that it is followed all over the world."So, on my side, I did what I had to do. I think it would be crazy to not play this game because what, the referee gave a penalty and we go out of the game?"I think that would be the worst thing, especially in African football. I'd rather lose than this kind of thing happen to our football."
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