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FIFA President Gianni Infantino condemned on Monday what he described as “unacceptable” scenes witnessed during the Africa Cup of Nations final match between Senegal and Morocco in Rabat on Sunday evening.
In a post on Instagram, Infantino congratulated Senegal on winning the tournament and the Africa Cup of Nations. He also praised the Moroccan team, telling them: “Well done, you had a fantastic tournament, both as runners-up and as exceptional teams.”
The FIFA president referred to “unacceptable scenes” both on the field and in the stands, expressing his strong condemnation of the behavior of some Senegalese fans, players, and coaching staff.
He said: “It is unacceptable to leave the field in this manner, and likewise, violence cannot be tolerated in our sport. This is simply not right.”
He added: “We must always respect the decisions made by match officials, both on and off the field. Teams must compete on the pitch and within the rules of the game, because anything less puts the very essence of football at risk.”
He emphasized the responsibility of teams and players to set the right example for fans in stadiums and for millions of viewers around the world.
He continued: “The ugly scenes I witnessed must be condemned and never repeated. I reiterated that they have no place in football, and I expect the relevant CAF disciplinary bodies to take appropriate action.”
The Senegalese national team won the tournament title for the second time in its history, following their 2021 victory, after a hard-fought 1-0 win against hosts Morocco. The winning goal was scored by Pape Gueye in extra time, amidst unprecedented chaos.
The awarding of a penalty to Morocco in the final seconds of stoppage time prompted some Senegalese players to leave the pitch, threatening to withdraw from the match, before Sadio Mane, a Senegalese player, intervened and persuaded them to return and complete the game.
Tensions spilled over into the stands, where a number of Senegalese fans attempted to invade the pitch for nearly 15 minutes, even as Morocco’s Brahim Diaz prepared to take a penalty kick, which he later missed. Security personnel and organizers struggled to contain the fans’ anger.
