FIFA President Gianni Infantino has criticised the conduct of some Senegalese players and officials following a pitch walkout that disrupted the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final on Sunday.
Infantino described the protest, which followed a late penalty awarded to Morocco, as unacceptable and contrary to the spirit of football. In a statement sent to AFP, he said leaving the field of play in protest could not be tolerated under any circumstances.
He also condemned acts of violence recorded during the incident, stressing that football must always be played within the rules and with respect for match officials.
The AFCON final, which ended goalless in regulation time, descended into chaos deep into stoppage time after a VAR review resulted in Morocco being awarded a penalty for a foul on Brahim Díaz. Angered by the decision, several Senegal players walked off the pitch, delaying the match, while former Liverpool star Sadio Mané remained on the field and appealed to his teammates to return.
Tensions were further heightened by Senegal’s frustration over an earlier goal disallowed for what appeared to be a minor infringement. Disorder also spread to the stands, with some Senegal supporters attempting to invade the pitch, leading to clashes with security officials and a stoppage lasting nearly 20 minutes.
When play resumed, Díaz failed to score from the penalty as Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy saved his attempted chip.
Senegal later secured victory in extra time, with Pape Gueye scoring the decisive goal in the fourth minute to seal a 1–0 win and clinch the continental title.
While congratulating Morocco on a strong tournament and successful hosting, Infantino reminded teams of their obligation to respect referees and strictly adhere to the laws of the game. He warned that such incidents send a negative message to fans worldwide and undermine the integrity of football.
The FIFA president also urged the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to take appropriate disciplinary action, insisting that scenes witnessed during the final must not be repeated.