Senegal exiting the pitch in protest against referee calls prior to securing the Africa Cup of Nations championship amidst unexpected turmoil was «unacceptable,» stated FIFA president Gianni Infantino on Monday.
Infantino admonished the Senegal’s coaches, players, and certain fans for their actions at the conclusion of regulation play versus host country Morocco, which were shocking for the finale of an international tournament.
«The disgraceful scenes observed [Sunday] must be denounced and never allowed to happen again,» the FIFA chief remarked on his Instagram after being present at the match in Rabat.
«I anticipate that the appropriate disciplinary authorities at CAF [the Confederation of African Football] will enact the necessary actions,» Infantino expressed.
CAF later labeled the occurrences as unacceptable in a subsequent statement, indicating that they are «examining all video footage and will forward the issue to appropriate bodies for necessary action against those found culpable.»
Senegal’s coach Pape Thiaw is facing potential severe repercussions for leading his players back to their locker room when Morocco received a stoppage-time penalty, causing the match to halt for nearly 15 minutes.
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) announced on Monday that it would lodge complaints with FIFA and CAF (the African football confederation).
The federation stated on its site that the withdrawal was «marked by incidents» following the penalty granted to Morocco and «interfered with the normal progression of the game and the players’ performance.»
It remains uncertain whether any suspension handed down to Thiaw would be limited to future African competitions or extend to FIFA’s World Cup in North America. Senegal is set to begin its World Cup campaign against France on June 16 at MetLife Stadium near New York, where they will also face Norway six days later.
Senegal’s squad and their supporters were enraged by the denial of what seemed to be a title-winning goal early in stoppage time of a 0-0 draw when the referee ruled a foul that negated the goal.
Shortly after, a penalty was awarded to Morocco following a video review that determined star forward Brahim Díaz had been fouled by a Senegal defender during a corner kick.
The contentious choice intensified the sentiment among Morocco’s adversaries that the team was receiving favorable calls at a tournament that has showcased preparations for co-hosting the 2030 World Cup by FIFA.
Thiaw urged his players to exit the pitch, thus obstructing Díaz from taking the penalty kick that could determine the championship. Senegal fans clashed with law enforcement at the other end of the stadium.
«It is intolerable to abandon the field in this way, and equally, violence cannot be accepted in our sport. It is simply wrong,» Infantino stated.
«We must consistently honor the decisions made by match officials both on and off the pitch,» the FIFA president continued. «Teams should compete on the field and within the Laws of the Game, as anything less jeopardizes the very essence of football.»
Morocco coach Walid Regragui later referred to the events as a «shameful» representation of African soccer for the world to witness.
As the players came back, during a remarkable 24th minute of stoppage time, Díaz executed one of the poorest penalties in professional soccer history.
The Real Madrid forward’s slow chip — known as a Panenka, after the Czech footballer who performed it 50 years ago to clinch the European title against West Germany — was feeble, low, and easily caught by Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy.
The match proceeded into extra time, where Senegal triumphed four minutes in with a powerful strike by Pape Gueye.
«My best regards also to Abdoulaye Fall, president of the Senegalese Football Association, and to everyone involved in this accomplishment,» Infantino expressed.
«It is also the duty of teams and players,» he said, «to conduct themselves responsibly and be an exemplary model for fans in the stadium and the millions watching worldwide.»
During the suspension of the match, furious Senegal fans jumped over barricades and landed in the photographers’ area behind one of the goals, tossing chairs onto the field and clashing with security personnel until police arrived to restore order.
The federation announced it would «pursue legal actions with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA)» requesting them to «rule on the withdrawal of the Senegalese national team from the pitch during the final against the Moroccan national team, along with the events that followed this decision, after the referee’s verdict of a penalty considered accurate by all experts.»
In addition on Monday, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) denounced in a statement the «unacceptable conduct» of certain players and officials during the AFCON finale.
The statement did not specifically reference the Senegal delegation but indicated that CAF «strongly» opposes any inappropriate behavior, particularly directed at the refereeing team or the organizers.
Post-match, Morocco coach Regragui criticized Thiaw’s choice to remove his team from the field and defended Díaz regarding his missed penalty.
«I believe a substantial amount of time elapsed before [Brahim] was able to execute the penalty, and this affected him,» Regragui remarked. «The match we experienced was a disgrace for Africa.»
Díaz released a statement on Monday regarding the missed penalty, stating: «My heart aches. I envisioned this title thanks to the immense support you all gave me, every message, every gesture of encouragement that made me feel I wasn’t alone. I fought with everything within me, with my heart above all.
«Yesterday I let everyone down, and I take full accountability. I extend my sincere apologies from the depths of my heart.
«Recovering from this will be difficult, because this wound takes time to heal… but I will strive forward. Not for my own sake, but for all who have faith in me and for those who have shared in my struggles.
«I will keep pushing onward until one day I can repay you all with this love and become a point of pride for my Moroccan people.»
Information from Efe and AP was utilized in this report.
