Senegal briefly walked off during the AFCON final after a late penalty decision. Coach Pape Thiaw says the move was driven by emotion, not disrespect
Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw has spoken out following the dramatic scenes that unfolded during the Africa Cup of Nations final, saying his team’s decision to leave the pitch was a reaction made in the heat of the moment.
The incident happened late in the match after Senegal had a goal disallowed and Morocco were immediately awarded a penalty, sparking anger and confusion among players and officials.
In a message shared on social media, Thiaw said he never meant to disrespect the game. He explained that his main concern was to shield his players from what he felt was unfair treatment.
He noted that what looked like a breach of rules was, in his view, a human response to a tense and painful situation. After brief discussions, the team agreed to return to the field and continue the contest.
Senegal captain Sadio Mané played a key role in calming his teammates and convincing them to resume play. Morocco’s Brahim Díaz then stepped up to take the penalty, but his shot was saved at the end of regular time.
The final was decided in extra time when Pape Guaye scored the winning goal, handing Senegal a 1-0 victory and the championship title.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino strongly criticised Senegal’s brief walkout the following day. Meanwhile, the Moroccan Football Federation said it was seeking action from both FIFA and the Confederation of African Football, arguing that the incident disrupted the flow of the game and affected player focus.
The penalty decision triggered unrest around the pitch. Players clashed near the sidelines, stewards struggled to control the situation behind one goal, and some fans entered the field before being removed.
The chaos caused a stoppage of about 15 minutes, and tensions were still high when the penalty was eventually taken.
The Senegal Football Federation later accused the hosts of lacking fair play in the buildup to the final. This added to the team’s frustration after the late goal was ruled out and the penalty was awarded against them.
Thiaw described the tournament as well organised overall, but said it ended in an unfortunate and dramatic manner.
The Senegal coach apologised to anyone who may have been offended by the walkoff. He said football is deeply emotional and believes true fans understand that feelings can sometimes take over in high-pressure moments.
Despite the controversy, Senegal lifted the trophy, bringing a turbulent final to a victorious end.
