In a statement issued on Monday, CAF lamented the chaotic scenes that occurred during and after the final, which was played in Rabat on Sunday night. The governing body did not specify the individuals involved but said the conduct targeted match officials and tournament organizers.
The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) has condemned what it described as “unacceptable behaviour” by some players and officials following the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 final between Morocco and Senegal.
In a statement issued on Monday, CAF lamented the chaotic scenes that occurred during and after the final, which was played in Rabat on Sunday night. The governing body did not specify the individuals involved but said the conduct targeted match officials and tournament organizers.
“CAF strongly condemns any inappropriate behaviour which occurs during matches, especially those targeting the refereeing team or match organizers,” the statement said.
CAF confirmed that it is reviewing all available footage from the match and will refer the matter to the relevant disciplinary bodies. Sanctions will be imposed on those found to have violated CAF regulations, the organization added.
The AFCON final, one of the most high-profile fixtures on the African football calendar, drew significant attention across the continent. CAF emphasized its commitment to upholding discipline, respect, and fair play at all its competitions.
The final, African football’s flagship event, was thrown into chaos late in regulation time with the scoreline at 0–0, after Moroccan winger Brahim Díaz was awarded a penalty following a VAR review of a challenge in the box.
In response, the majority of Senegal’s players walked off the pitch in protest.
Only a few players, including Senegal captain and former Liverpool star Sadio Mané, remained on the field. Mané was seen appealing to his teammates to return and allow the match to continue.
Senegal’s outrage was compounded by the earlier disallowance of a goal they believed was wrongly ruled out for a soft foul just minutes before the controversial penalty decision.
The situation spilled into the stands, where some Senegalese supporters attempted to invade the pitch and clashed with security officials, further disrupting the match.
Play was suspended for nearly 20 minutes before Díaz eventually took the penalty, executing a weak ‘Panenka’ effort that was comfortably saved by Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy.
Despite the chaos, the match resumed and was decided in extra time, when Pape Gueye scored a superb goal in the fourth minute to hand Senegal a dramatic 1–0 victory.