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Rabat – FIFA President Gianni Infantino has condemned the unacceptable and ugly scenes that the Senegalese players and fans created in last night’s AFCON final.
“We also witnessed unacceptable scenes on the field and in the stands – we strongly condemn the behaviour of some ‘supporters’ as well as some Senegalese players and technical staff. It is unacceptable to leave the field of play in this manner, and equally, violence cannot be tolerated in our sport; it is simply not right,” Infantino wrote.
On Sunday evening, Senegalese coach Pape Thiaw created chaos on the pitch with the majority of his players showing blatant unsportsmanlike conduct.
The Senegalese team threatened to abandon the match and headed to their locker room in protest after a referee awarded Morocco a penalty following a clear VAR-verified foul on Brahim Diaz.
In response, fans from Senegal attempted to storm the pitch and attack security personnel, with the violent scenes recorded live. Senegalese supporters threw objects, destroyed seats, and used them as weapons against the stadium staff.
The Senegalese team conduct added insult to injury, as they violently objected the referee’s decision and protested in an unsportsmanlike behaviors, towards Moroccan players and Coach Walid Regragui.
When Morocco missed the penalty, a revenge mindset overwhelmed the pitch, with Senegal doing whatever it could to win the final after creating a chaotic circus that affected and overshadowed the spirit of competition that defined the Atlas Lions throughout the tournament.
For Infantino, “we must always respect the decisions taken by the match officials on and off the field of play. Teams must compete on the pitch and within the Laws of the Game, because anything less puts the very essence of football at risk.”
He described the scenes that some Senegalese players, coach, and fans created as “ugly,” stressing that similar acts should be condemned and never repeated.
“I reiterated that they have no place in football and I expect that the relevant disciplinary bodies at CAF will take the appropriate measures,” he said.
To add further controversy, Thiaw even refused to hug and shake Regragui’s hand after the match that fell in the Senegalese coaches’ favor, bringing a sour tone to what should have been a brotherly match between two African nations.
The Senegalese team and coach’s conduct sparked condemnation and uproar across Morocco and beyond, with many fans asking Moroccan authorities to never host any other competitions.
Read Also: And Morocco Lost the Final — Not for Lack of Merit, but Because of Senegal’s Chaos
Infantino concluded his message, stressing it is the responsibility of players to act responsibly to set the right example for fans.
Critics and observers stressed how, from day one, Morocco has been targeted by many from different countries despite the excellent and applaudable efforts made throughout the tournament – mobilizing world-class infrastructure, stadiums, hotels, and entertainment logistics for both fans and teams.
CAF has even acknowledged that AFCON Morocco is the most successful edition in the tournament’s history.
“We always succeed when our football is beautiful. I point out that Mbappe came here to Morocco, Zindane also, Kounde, and other players. We are very proud that they came and supported the best players in Africa,” CAF leader Patrice Motsepe said recently.
He also commended the level of football as well as the infrastructure, the stadiums, and the services.
“On behalf of 54 federations, we express our gratitude to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, to his government and to the people of Morocco, as well as to the work done by our brother Fouzi Lekjaa. This makes ordinary people say that the hospitality and warmth of the Moroccan people are beautiful, and my Moroccan friends tell me this is part of their culture, something truly special,” Motsepe said.
