FIFA President Condemns Senegal Players and Fans for Unacceptable Scenes During Africa Cup of Nations Final
FIFA President Condemns Senegal Players and Fans for Unacceptable Scenes During Africa Cup of Nations Final
FIFA President Gianni Infantino condemned the “unacceptable scenes” that overshadowed Senegal’s victory in the Africa Cup of Nations final on Sunday, when some Senegalese players walked off the pitch in protest over a penalty awarded to Morocco. In a statement sent to AFP, Infantino expressed strong disapproval of the behavior, stating, “We strongly condemn the behavior of some supporters as well as some Senegalese players and technical staff members. It is unacceptable to leave the field of play in this manner. Violence cannot be tolerated in our sport; it is simply not right.”
The match, a major event in African football, was disrupted by most Senegalese players walking off the pitch during injury time with the score tied at 0-0. The controversy erupted after Morocco was awarded a penalty following a VAR review for a challenge on Brahim Diaz. Senegal’s former Liverpool star Sadio Mane remained on the field and urged his teammates to return, having been frustrated earlier when a goal was disallowed for a seemingly soft foul.
Trouble also spilled into the stands, where some Senegalese fans attempted to enter the pitch and engaged in fights with security personnel. The game was halted for nearly 20 minutes before Diaz took the penalty, which he chipped weakly and was saved by Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. Shortly after, Pape Gueye scored a stunning goal in extra time, securing a 1-0 victory for Senegal.
While congratulating Morocco on their “fantastic tournament” as runners-up and hosts of the upcoming 2030 World Cup, Infantino emphasized the importance of respecting match officials’ decisions. “Teams must compete on the pitch and within the Laws of the Game, because anything less puts the very essence of football at risk,” he said.
Looking ahead to the upcoming World Cup co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, Infantino expressed hope that such scenes would not occur again. He highlighted that images of violence and disorder send the wrong message to fans worldwide. “It is also the responsibility of teams and players to act responsibly and set the right example for supporters in stadiums and viewers around the globe,” he added. Infantino concluded by condemning Sunday’s incidents and urged disciplinary bodies at CAF to take appropriate measures to prevent such behavior in the future.
