FIFA has sharply criticised scenes that disrupted the Africa Cup of Nations final, warning that player protests and crowd disorder risk damaging football’s credibility on its biggest stages.
The global football body reacted after several Senegal players abandoned the pitch late in the match, protesting a penalty decision that swung momentum in favour of Morocco during a tense and scoreless contest.
In a strongly worded response, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said actions taken by players and some team officials crossed acceptable limits, stressing that disputes must never override respect for match officials.
He added that football “cannot tolerate conduct that undermines the Laws of the Game,” noting that discipline and restraint are essential at elite tournaments.
The controversy unfolded deep into added time when video review led to Morocco being awarded a spot-kick for a challenge on attacker Brahim Díaz.
However, anger had already been simmering within the Senegal camp after an earlier goal was ruled out for a perceived foul.
While most Senegal players left the field in protest, captain and former Liverpool forward Sadio Mané stayed behind, urging his teammates to return and allow play to continue.
His intervention eventually helped restore order after a prolonged delay.
Meanwhile, tensions spilt into the stands as a section of Senegal supporters clashed with stadium security, further delaying proceedings and forcing officials to halt the game for nearly 20 minutes.
When play resumed, Morocco failed to capitalise as Díaz’s audacious penalty attempt was saved by Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy.
That moment proved decisive, as Pape Gueye later struck a dramatic extra-time winner to seal a 1–0 victory for Senegal.
Despite the disruption, Infantino praised Morocco’s overall tournament performance and organisational efforts, describing the hosts as “excellent ambassadors for African football.”
He also reminded teams that disagreement with refereeing decisions must never translate into defiance on the pitch.
Concluding his remarks, Infantino said footballers carry a responsibility beyond results, noting that their behaviour shapes how the sport is perceived globally.
He confirmed that Africa’s football authorities are expected to review the incident and take appropriate disciplinary action to prevent a repeat.