The joy of victory was short-lived; now they must worry about the World Cup stage.
AP News reported on the 19th (Korea time) that Gianni Infantino (56), president of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), expressed anger, saying "unacceptable," after leaving the stadium in protest of the referee's decision and then returning regarding Senegal's actions after winning the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Senegal, led by coach Pape Thiaw (45), beat Morocco 1-0 after extra time in the 2025 AFCON final held at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Morocco.
With this, Senegal lifted the tournament trophy for the second time overall, five years after 2021. Morocco sought its first title in 50 years since the 1976 Ethiopia tournament but had to settle for second place for the second time since the 2004 Tunisia tournament.
But the focus that day was not Senegal's dramatic victory or the winning goal scorer Pape Gueye (27, Villarreal). The sudden actions by Senegal that caused the match stoppage came under scrutiny.
The incident occurred in the 98th minute of added time in the second half. In a Moroccan corner kick situation, when Malick Diouf (22, West Ham United) pulled Brahim Díaz's (27, Real Madrid) neck, the referee, after a video assistant referee (VAR) review, awarded a penalty kick.
Then coach Thiaw vehemently protested the decision, and a violent clash even broke out between the two teams' benches. As a sign of protest against the decision, coach Thiaw instructed his squad to leave the field and withdraw to the locker room.
With the commander stepping in and refusing to continue the match, the game had to be suspended for 16 minutes. Meanwhile, in the Senegal stands of the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, which holds 69,500, a brawl broke out. The stadium became a chaotic scene in an instant.
It was a hair-raising situation that could have ended in a forfeiture if Liverpool legend Sadio Mané (34, Al Nassr) had not persuaded his Senegal teammates to return to the pitch.
Gianni Infantino (56), president of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), who was watching the match on site, vented unprecedented anger. He emphasized on his social media that "the ugly scenes witnessed must be criticized and must never be repeated."
He went on to warn strongly that "leaving the stadium in that manner is never acceptable," and called on the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to classify the act as one that shakes the essence of football and to demand immediate disciplinary measures.
The biggest issue is the level of discipline. If CAF's sanctions lead to penalties at the FIFA level, there could be an emergency regarding participation in the 2026 North American World Cup, which is just five months away.
Senegal, in Group I, will play its first World Cup match against France on June 16 at MetLife Stadium near New York local time, and will face Norway at the same venue six days later.
AP News raised the possibility that a suspension for coach Thiaw could be extended to the World Cup, reporting on the crisis facing Senegal's football community.
CAF also said in a later statement that it deems the incident "unacceptable" and that "after reviewing all video materials, it will refer those judged guilty to the competent authorities so appropriate measures can be taken."
It is uncertain whether the sanctions to be imposed on coach Thiaw will apply only to future African competitions or will extend to the FIFA-organized North American World Cup.
Infantino emphasized, "We must always respect the decisions made by referees on and off the field. Teams must compete on the field within the framework of the rules of the game, and if they do not, the very essence of football is put at risk."
Morocco coach Walid Regragui (50) also raised his voice in criticism of Senegal, saying, "It showed the world a shameful image of African football."
Meanwhile, Infantino wrote, "I extend my congratulations to Abdoulaye Faye, president of the Senegal Football Federation, and to all those involved in this success."
But he warned again that "teams and players must also act responsibly and are obliged to set a proper example for the fans who came to the stadium and the millions of viewers worldwide."
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