Senegal's Pape Thiaw defends AFCON final walk-off before expected sanction

Senegal are facing a potential investigation after their players and coaching staff briefly walked off the pitch during stoppage time of the Africa Cup of Nations final against host nation Morocco.

The dramatic incident occurred last Sunday following a controversial sequence of decisions late in the match that escalated tensions on and off the field.

The walk-off happened moments after a Senegal goal that could have sealed the title was ruled out, and Morocco were immediately awarded a penalty at the other end.

In protest, Senegal’s players left the field, leading to a delay of around 15 minutes.

Senegal coach Pape Thiaw later explained that the decision was made in an emotionally charged moment and was not intended as a protest against the rules of football.

In a statement posted on Instagram, Thiaw said he acted to protect his players from what he viewed as an injustice.

He stressed that he never intended to undermine the principles of the sport, describing the walk-off as a spontaneous emotional reaction rather than a deliberate violation.

Thiaw added that, after reflection, the team agreed to return to the pitch and continue competing for the trophy.

Senegal captain Sadio Mané played a key role in persuading his teammates to resume the match, allowing Morocco’s Brahim Díaz to take the awarded penalty.

Díaz’s shot was saved in the final action of normal time, and the match went into extra time. Senegal ultimately secured a 1–0 victory when Pape Guaye scored the decisive goal, clinching the AFCON title.

Despite the outcome, the incident drew strong criticism. FIFA President Gianni Infantino condemned Senegal’s walk-off the following day, while the Moroccan Football Federation announced it was pursuing legal action with FIFA and the Confederation of African Football.

Moroccan officials argued that the walk-off disrupted the flow of the match and negatively affected player performance.

The controversial penalty decision also triggered widespread disorder. Fights broke out between players near the touchline, stewards clashed with Senegalese staff behind one of the goals, and several fans managed to enter the field of play, forcing security to intervene.

Even after play resumed, tensions remained high during the penalty attempt.

Thiaw described the tournament as exceptionally well organised but regretted its dramatic conclusion.

The Senegalese Football Federation also accused the Moroccan hosts of lacking fair play in the buildup to the final, reinforcing Senegal’s sense of injustice over the disallowed goal and penalty decision.

Thiaw concluded by apologising to anyone offended by the walk-off, emphasizing that emotion is an inseparable part of football and that passionate reactions can occur in moments of extreme pressure.