FIFA President Gianni Infantino expressed his deep dismay and unequivocal condemnation of the chaotic events that marred the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final, held on Sunday in Rabat, Morocco. Infantino strongly criticized the behavior of some Senegalese players and members of their coaching staff, describing the incidents as "unacceptable scenes" that tarnish the reputation of world and continental football.
The match, which ended with Senegal winning the continental title against hosts Morocco 1-0 after extra time, witnessed unprecedented tensions that nearly led to the game's abandonment. The crisis erupted after the referee awarded a penalty to the Atlas Lions in the final seconds of stoppage time, a decision that prompted several Senegalese players to leave the pitch in protest, an unprecedented act that drew disapproval from spectators, before they later returned to resume play.
The chaos wasn't confined to the pitch; it spilled into the stands, where the stadium experienced a tense period of approximately 15 minutes as several Senegalese fans attempted to invade the field. This security lapse coincided with Moroccan star Brahim Diaz preparing to take the decisive penalty kick, which he later missed under immense psychological pressure. Security personnel and the organizing committee faced significant challenges in controlling the situation and containing the ensuing brawl.
In a strongly worded official statement, Infantino said: “We strongly condemn the behavior of some Senegalese players and members of the coaching staff. Leaving the pitch in this manner is unacceptable, and violence in our sport cannot be tolerated under any circumstances; it is completely unacceptable.” The FIFA president stressed the need to respect referees’ decisions as an integral part of the game, warning that any misconduct jeopardizes the very essence and values of football.
These statements are particularly important given the general context in which the tournament was held, as the African continent seeks to present a civilized image of the development of football in it, especially with Morocco hosting the event as a real rehearsal for its preparations to host the 2030 World Cup. Such events are considered a black mark that may affect the marketing image of African football, which prompted Infantino to demand assurances that these unfortunate scenes will not be repeated in the future.
Infantino concluded his statement with an explicit call for the competent disciplinary bodies within the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to assume their responsibilities and take “appropriate” and deterrent measures against those responsible for this chaos, to ensure the rule of law and sportsmanship prevails in African stadiums.
