CAF backed to strip Senegal of AFCON title and Morocco declared 3-0 winners: ‘Huge punishment’
Senegal won the Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday, beating Morocco in a final that descended into chaos in the final moments.
Host nation Morocco were the favourites to win AFCON, and it looked as if they would when they were awarded a penalty for El Hadji Malick Diouf‘s stoppage-time foul.
But after Ismaila Sarr‘s goal just minutes earlier had been ruled out for a soft foul, Senegal were incensed and marched off the pitch before the penalty could be taken.
After almost 20 minutes of heated debate, Pape Thiaw’s team returned to the field for the penalty, which Real Madrid forward Brahim Diaz subsequently chipped into the grateful arms of Edouard Mendy.
In extra time, Pape Gueye found the winning goal when he broke forward and smashed the ball into the top corner, breaking the host nation’s hearts.
Senegal slammed for AFCON final ‘anarchy’
Senegal’s frustrations in the final minutes of Sunday’s final were evident, and understandable.
There was little debate about the penalty decision. Diouf had hold of the base of Diaz’s neck, throwing him to the ground before he headed away the corner. Soft, perhaps, but a penalty.
The same could not be said of the foul that saw Senegal’s goal disallowed just minutes before, however.
| Senegal | Match stats | Morocco |
| 50% | Possession | 50% |
| 14 | Shots | 21 |
| 7 | On target | 4 |
| 1.71 | Expected goals (xG) | 2.18 |
| 8 | Corners | 10 |
Achraf Hakimi had been adjudged to have been fouled by Abdoulaye Seck just moments before the defender’s header was bundled in by Sarr.
But replays showed nothing of the sort. Both players had held their arms up towards each other, with the PSG defender using the slightest of contact to throw himself to the floor.
Referee Jean-Jacques Ndala instantly blew for the foul, but VAR’s decision to ignore the replays prompted anger in the Senegal camp.
The same VAR’s recommendation for a review of the incident at the other end just moments later proved too much for the already seething players and staff.
Legendary commentator Ian Darke wrote on social media that Senegal should be punished for their actions.
“I admire Senegal as a very fine football team – but you can’t walk off the pitch, delay the game 17 mins, and be declared AFCON champions,” he wrote.
“There has to be a huge punishment for such anarchy. The game should either be replayed at a future date or Morocco be declared 3-0 winners”.
CAF to review AFCON final footage
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) said on Monday that it will review all footage from Sunday’s scenes before taking appropriate action.
Amid the penalty decision and chaos that ensued, several brawls broke out both in the stands and on the dugout.
And even earlier in the game, bizarre scenes were captured of Senegal goalkeeper Yehvann Diouf protecting Mendy’s towel from ball boys and even Morocco winger Ismael Saibari.
It was a final of pure entertainment for the neutral, but it may take some time for officials to pick the bones out of it.