FIFA President,Gianni Infantino has described the behaviour of the Senegal player and fans during the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as “unacceptable”.
Senegalese coaching staff and players walked off the pitch iin the final against Morocco, in protest against the penalty awarded the host country following VAR review for a foul on Brahim Diaz.
The decision also irked Senegal fans who threatened to set the stadium on fire.
The protest lasted almost 20 minutes before the team returned to the field for the match to resume which eventually was decided by 1-0 in favour of Senegal
Disappointed by the standoff,Infantino In an Instagram post strongly condemned the behaviour as unacceptable.
“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,” the FIFA president writes.
“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.”
He added that the actions of the Senegalese contingent were not within the laws of the game, and that CAF will be meting out appropriate punishment.
“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,” Infantino wrote
Senegal saved the Panenka kick by Brahim Diaz and net in the decisive goal through Pape Gueye to seal a second AFCON title .
