The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final between Senegal and host nation Morocco concluded with Senegal securing a 1-0 victory in extra time, but the match was overshadowed by a controversial walk-off protest by the Senegalese team. The incident, triggered by a late penalty awarded to Morocco, has sparked widespread debate and condemnation, raising concerns about the precedent it sets for future competitions.
With the scoreline at 0-0, the Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala, after consulting the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), awarded Morocco a penalty in the 24th minute of stoppage time after El Hadji Malick Diouf was adjudged to have fouled Brahim Díaz. The decision ignited fury among the Senegalese players and coaching staff, who had already been angered by a disallowed goal scored by Ismaila Sarr. In protest, Senegal's coach, Pape Thiaw, led his team off the pitch. This action caused approximately a 20-minute delay as angry Senegalese fans threw objects and attempted to storm the field.
The walk-off was met with strong criticism from footballing bodies and officials. CAF (Confederation of African Football) described Senegal's behavior as "unacceptable" and "inappropriate," stating that they would review the incident and take appropriate action against those found guilty. FIFA President Gianni Infantino also condemned the Senegalese team's actions. Morocco's head coach, Walid Regragui, labeled the incident as "shameful" and criticized Thiaw for his unsportsmanlike conduct. The Royal Moroccan Football Federation announced that it would pursue legal action with CAF and FIFA regarding the walk-off.
Despite the controversy, the match eventually resumed, with Édouard Mendy, Senegal's goalkeeper, saving Brahim Díaz's penalty. This save appeared to galvanize Senegal, who went on to score in the fourth minute of extra time through Pape Gueye. Senegal maintained their lead, securing their second AFCON title.
Following the match, Coach Thiaw apologized for his actions, stating that he regretted leading his team off the field and that it was a reaction in the heat of the moment. However, the incident has already cast a shadow over Senegal's victory and raised serious questions about the potential implications of such protests in professional football.
The incident has been widely debated. Some argue that the referee's decision was indeed questionable, justifying Senegal's frustration. Others argue that regardless of the perceived injustice, walking off the pitch is an unacceptable form of protest that undermines the integrity of the game. The fear is that this incident could set a dangerous precedent, encouraging teams to abandon matches whenever they disagree with a referee's decision. This could lead to chaos and undermine the authority of match officials, ultimately harming the sport.
