AFCON 2025 Final: FIFA President Infantino condemns the walk-off during Senegal vs Morocco

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has condemned the «unacceptable scenes» that unfolded during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final, which saw several Senegalese players walk off the pitch after Morocco were awarded a penalty in Rabat on Sunday.

A penalty was awarded to the Atlas Lions in second-half stoppage time, following a lengthy VAR check for a challenge on Brahmin Diaz by Senegal defender El Hadji Malick Diouf.

Diaz led the protests after that incident, vehemently calling for a penalty to be awarded when the Moroccan bench joined in. After the referee decided in favor of Morocco, the Senegalese camp was furious and fights also broke out in the stands.

The game was stopped for about twenty minutes and the Senegal players walked off the field.

«The image we gave of African football was quite shameful. It is not very stylish to have to interrupt the match for more than 10 minutes while the world is watching,» Morocco coach Walid Regragui said after the match.

Senegalese coach Pape Thiaw apologized for the behavior after the match, while Infantino, who was present at the stadium, issued his condemnation hours later.

«We strongly condemn the behavior of some ‘supporters’, but also of some Senegalese players and technical staff. It is unacceptable to leave the field of play in this way,» Infantino said in a statement to AFP.

When the match resumed, Diaz’s penalty was saved by Edouard Mendy, one of the players who had moved to the dressing room in protest, while at the other end Pape Gueye’s goal secured the title for the Teranga Lions.

«We’re not going to talk in the heat of the moment. Things have happened, but in the end what matters is that football won,» Mendy said after the match.

(with input from AFP)

Published on January 19, 2026