Infantino Condemns Actions of Senegal Players and Calls for Sanctions After Chaos at the “Morocco 2025” AFCON Final
The President of FIFA, Gianni Infantino, condemned what he described as “unacceptable scenes” that accompanied the Africa Cup of Nations final, held on Sunday evening in Rabat, explicitly criticizing several players from the Senegalese national team and members of their coaching staff for leaving the pitch during the match.
The Senegalese national team claimed the continental title after defeating Morocco 1-0 after extra time in a match marked by heightened tensions and unprecedented chaos, especially following the awarding of a penalty to the “Atlas Lions” in the dying seconds of stoppage time in the second half. This decision prompted some Senegalese players to withdraw from the pitch before they later returned to complete the match.
The tensions were not confined to the field, as they extended to the stands, where several Senegalese fans attempted to storm the pitch for nearly 15 minutes, even as player Ibrahim Diaz was preparing to take the penalty, which he ultimately missed. Security personnel and organizers faced significant challenges in managing the situation, which included clashes and widespread brawling.
In an official statement, Infantino said, “We strongly condemn the behavior of some Senegalese players and coaching staff. It is unacceptable to leave the pitch in such a manner.” He added, “Under no circumstances can violence in our sport be tolerated. Respecting the decisions of referees, both on and off the pitch, is essential, and teams must adhere to the rules of the game, as any misconduct threatens the very essence of football.”
Infantino concluded his remarks by asserting that “the unfortunate scenes we witnessed today must be condemned and never repeated,” calling on the relevant disciplinary bodies within the Confederation of African Football to take “appropriate action” against those involved.
