The jubilant celebrations in Dakar were meant to mark Senegal’s triumph in the African Cup of Nations, but the euphoria came with a shadow.
Coach Pape Thiaw now faces the prospect of a lengthy ban after a dramatic incident in the final against Morocco, where he instructed his players to walk off the pitch following a last-minute penalty decision.
Despite later apologizing for his actions, the fallout continues.
Thiaw’s Heat-of-the-Moment Decision
During the tense final in Morocco, a penalty was awarded in stoppage time, sparking chaos on the field and in the stands.
In response, Thiaw told his squad to leave the pitch in protest.
Fortunately for Senegal, former Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy saved the penalty, and Senegal ultimately triumphed in extra time.
Reflecting on the incident, Thiaw admitted: “After thinking about it, I realised that I shouldn’t have asked them to go off. I apologise for that.
Sometimes you react in the heat of the moment.
Before that, we scored a goal that was disallowed—Ismaila Sarr had a strike chalked off.
But now we accept that referees do make mistakes, and we apologize.”
FIFA and CAF Launching Investigations
The African football community is taking the incident seriously.
Thiaw could face sanctions, with both FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) reviewing the events.
A Daily Mail Sport inquiry confirmed that both organizations are closely monitoring the situation.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino condemned the actions, stating: “It is unacceptable to leave the field of play in this manner. Violence and disrespect toward referees cannot be tolerated.
The ugly scenes witnessed must be condemned and never repeated. I expect the relevant disciplinary bodies at CAF to take appropriate measures.”
CAF echoed the sentiment: “CAF strongly condemns inappropriate behaviour during matches, especially targeting referees or match organizers.
We are reviewing all footage and will take appropriate action against those found guilty.”
Impact on Premier League Clubs
Senegal’s squad returned to Dakar for celebrations, creating uncertainty for Premier League clubs about the availability of their internationals. Everton will be watching closely for Iliman Ndiaye and captain Idrissa Gana Gueye, while Crystal Palace has Ismaila Sarr. West Ham left-back El Hadji Malick Diouf also shone in the final, and Tottenham’s Pape Matar Sarr was an unused substitute.
Moroccan Side Voices Criticism
Morocco’s coach Walid Regragui did not hold back, condemning Thiaw’s conduct and the wider fallout.
“It was a final with a Hitchcockian script. The image we’ve given of Africa is shameful.
A coach asking his players to leave the field… what Pape did does not honour Africa. We stopped the match for 10 minutes in front of the world.
That didn’t help Brahim Diaz with his penalty. We were one minute from being champions. That’s football—sometimes cruel,” Regragui said.
Moroccan Federation Pledges Legal Action
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (RMFF) has announced it intends to pursue legal action with CAF and FIFA over Senegal’s decision to withdraw from the pitch.
They maintain that the penalty decision was correct, and the interruption significantly affected the match and players’ performance.
The RMFF also expressed gratitude to Moroccan fans for their unwavering support throughout the tournament: “We extend our sincere thanks to all Moroccan fans for their loyalty and exemplary support in every match.
We also thank everyone who contributed to the success of this continental championship.”
What Happens Next
As Senegal celebrates its hard-earned victory, the football world watches closely to see what disciplinary actions FIFA and CAF will take.
Meanwhile, Premier League clubs anxiously wait for their Senegalese stars to return, and the controversy continues to spark debate about sportsmanship, referee authority, and the pressures of high-stakes football.
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