Controversy Erupts at AFCON Final: Senegal’s Walk-Off and Morocco’s Response

In a fiercely contested final at The Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium on Sunday, Senegal believed they had secured victory in stoppage time with a goal from Abdoulaye Seck. However, referee Jean-Jacques Ndala disallowed the goal due to a controversial foul during the build-up. Shortly after this incident, Diaz was awarded a questionable penalty for Morocco, escalating tensions on the field.

Senegal’s head coach, Pape Thiaw, expressed his frustration by instructing his players to return to the dressing room, resulting in a significant delay to the match. From Senegal’s perspective, the situation turned in their favor when Pape Gueye scored a stunning winner in extra time, clinching the AFCON title for Les Lions de la Teranga.

The day following the tumultuous match, Diaz, who had been a standout player throughout the tournament, reflected on the devastating loss. At 26 years old, he had netted five goals in seven matches and was pivotal in Morocco’s journey to the final. Acknowledging his disappointment, he took full responsibility for his actions and issued a heartfelt apology via Instagram.

Diaz wrote, “My soul hurts. I dreamed of this title thanks to all the love you all gave me… I fought with everything I had. Yesterday, I failed, and I take full responsibility. I apologize from the bottom of my heart. It will be hard for me to recover, but I will try for everyone who believed in me. I will keep going until I can give back this love and become a source of pride for my Moroccan people.”

Despite the contributions of former Liverpool star Sadio Mane in rallying the Senegalese team, the AFCON champions may face repercussions for their actions. On Monday, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced disciplinary measures against Senegal due to the 14-minute delay caused by their walk-off. FIFA President Gianni Infantino also condemned the events as “unacceptable,” emphasizing that violence and leaving the field in protest cannot be tolerated in football.

In response, Morocco’s football federation declared its intention to pursue legal action against the Senegalese team. Their statement read, “The Royal Moroccan Football Federation will seek legal recourse with CAF and FIFA regarding the walk-off of the Senegalese national team during the final, as well as the events surrounding it, following the referee’s penalty decision, which was deemed correct by experts. This situation significantly impacted the match’s normal course and the players’ performances.”

Ultimately, the AFCON tournament, which had been thrilling until the final, concluded in controversy, drawing negative attention. Following the match, Morocco’s coach Walid Regragui criticized Senegal’s actions as “shameful” and lacking in respect for African football. The fallout from this incident is expected to linger, with potential penalties looming in what has become a difficult chapter for the sport.