FIFA President Condemns Senegal Players’ Walkout During AFCON Final

FIFA President Condemns Senegal Players’ Walkout During AFCON Final

In a statement sent to AFP, Infantino criticised the conduct of the Senegal team, insisting that abandoning the field of play in protest undermines the integrity of football.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has condemned what he described as “unacceptable scenes” involving some Senegalese players and members of the team’s technical crew during Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final, after they staged a walkout in protest against a penalty awarded to Morocco.

In a statement sent to AFP, Infantino criticised the conduct of the Senegal team, insisting that abandoning the field of play in protest undermines the integrity of football.

“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,” Infantino said.

“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.”

The final, African football’s flagship event, was thrown into chaos late in regulation time with the scoreline at 0–0, after Moroccan winger Brahim Díaz was awarded a penalty following a VAR review of a challenge in the box.

In response, the majority of Senegal’s players walked off the pitch in protest.

Only a few players, including Senegal captain and former Liverpool star Sadio Mané, remained on the field. Mané was seen appealing to his teammates to return and allow the match to continue.

Senegal’s outrage was compounded by the earlier disallowance of a goal they believed was wrongly ruled out for a soft foul just minutes before the controversial penalty decision.

The situation spilled into the stands, where some Senegalese supporters attempted to invade the pitch and clashed with security officials, further disrupting the match.

Play was suspended for nearly 20 minutes before Díaz eventually took the penalty, executing a weak ‘Panenka’ effort that was comfortably saved by Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy.

Despite the chaos, the match resumed and was decided in extra time, when Pape Gueye scored a superb goal in the fourth minute to hand Senegal a dramatic 1–0 victory.

While congratulating Morocco for what he described as “a fantastic tournament, both as runners-up and exceptional hosts,” Infantino stressed that teams must respect officiating decisions, regardless of disagreement.

“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 warned that the scenes witnessed during the final sent the wrong message to fans around the world, particularly ahead of major global tournaments.

“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. They have no place in football, and I expect the relevant CAF disciplinary bodies to take appropriate measures.”