Senegal's triumphant victory in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final against host nation Morocco is now overshadowed by potential sanctions following their controversial walk-off protest. The incident occurred late in the game after Morocco was awarded a penalty in stoppage time following a VAR review, a decision that sparked outrage among the Senegalese team.
With the score locked at 0-0, the referee's decision to award Morocco a penalty after judging that Brahim Diaz had been pulled down prompted Senegal's head coach, Pape Thiaw, to lead his team off the pitch in protest. This action resulted in a 16-minute suspension of play and has been heavily criticized by tournament organizers and FIFA.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has strongly condemned the "unacceptable behavior" of some Senegalese players and officials. In a statement, CAF asserted its firm stance against any inappropriate behavior, especially those targeting match officials or organizers, and confirmed that it is reviewing footage to determine appropriate actions against those found guilty. FIFA President Gianni Infantino echoed this sentiment, denouncing the scenes as "unacceptable" and emphasizing that such conduct and violence have no place in football.
Despite the controversy, the match resumed after intervention from Sadio Mané, who urged his teammates to return to the field. Brahim Díaz missed the penalty, and Senegal went on to secure a 1-0 victory in extra time with a stunning goal from Pape Gueye. However, their actions may still carry consequences.
According to AFCON rules, a team that leaves the pitch before the end of the match without the referee's authorization may be considered to have forfeited the game. While Senegal did return and complete the match, CAF's disciplinary committee could still impose sanctions. Possible penalties range from a fine to expulsion from the competition. CAF is reviewing video footage to identify individuals responsible for the stoppage. Coach Thiaw later apologized for his actions, but Senegal could still face sanctions.
Adding to the chaos, there were reports of clashes between Senegal fans and security personnel. These incidents are also under review by CAF and could result in further penalties for the nation.
The potential sanctions against Senegal could extend beyond financial penalties. There is uncertainty whether any ban imposed on Coach Thiaw would apply to future African competitions or FIFA's World Cup.
Despite securing their second AFCON title in four years, the victory is now tainted by the disciplinary proceedings and the condemnation from both CAF and FIFA. The incident has cast a shadow over what should have been a moment of pure celebration for Senegalese football.
