By Kwame Bediako
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is set to rule within 48 hours on the heated fallout from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final, where Senegal’s dramatic pitch walk-off sparked widespread outrage.
Following a Tuesday, January 27, 2026 disciplinary hearing, the Senegal Football Federation (FSF) detailed its defense before CAF’s panel, addressing complaints from match officials and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation.
With head coach Pape Thiaw and stars Ismaïla Sarr and Iliman Ndiaye giving testimony, the FSF, backed by lawyer Maître Seydou Diagne, insists the response was justified amid a controversial 97th-minute penalty awarded to hosts Morocco.
The flashpoint unfolded in Rabat’s tense finale on January 18, when referee Jean-Jacques Ndala pointed to the spot, prompting Thiaw to instruct his players off the field in protest.
The 17-minute stoppage saw fan clashes with security, turning triumph into turmoil after Pape Gueye’s extra-time winner secured Senegal’s victory, despite Morocco’s missed penalty by Brahim Diaz upon resumption.
Morocco’s federation lodged formal protests with CAF and FIFA, claiming the walk-off derailed the match’s flow and demanding the trophy be stripped, per beIN Sports reports.
CAF wasted no time condemning the “unacceptable behaviour” from Senegal’s camp, vowing swift action against those targeting officials or organizers.
FIFA boss Gianni Infantino echoed the sentiment on Instagram, slamming the players’ exit and fan violence as intolerable in the sport. As both nations faced the disciplinary jury, the hearing exposed raw frustrations over refereeing in high-stakes African finals.
This saga raises urgent questions about sportsmanship and officiating standards across the continent. Senegal’s representatives argued their protest highlighted refereeing flaws, but critics see it as a dangerous precedent that could erode AFCON’s credibility.
With Morocco pushing for severe sanctions, the verdict could reshape how protests are handled in future tournaments.
Fans and analysts await CAF’s decision by Thursday, hoping it restores faith in the game’s integrity. Whatever the outcome, the Morocco 2025 final will linger as a stark reminder of football’s passion teetering on the edge of anarchy.
