Morocco will file a complaint about Senegal’s strike in the AFCON final

The Royal Moroccan Football Federation announced on Monday that it will file a complaint with CAF and FIFA over Senegal’s strike during the African Cup of Nations final in Rabat on Sunday.

The host country’s top football body said in a statement that it will take up the case of the «withdrawal of the Senegalese national team» and the «incidents that followed the awarding of a correct penalty».

The statement also added that the actions of the Senegalese players «significantly affected the normal course of the match and the morale of the players.»

The controversy erupted in the final after Morocco were awarded a penalty deep into stoppage time at the end of regular time, with the match still goalless.

Senegal’s players were furious about the decision and a number of players left the field. Play was stopped for about 20 minutes before Brahim Diaz took the penalty, which was saved by Senegalese goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. Senegal eventually won the match as Pape Gueye’s goal secured a 1–0 win over the hosts in extra time.

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CAF issued a statement after the summit, condemning the «unacceptable behavior» of players and officials. «CAF strongly condemns any inappropriate behavior that takes place during matches, especially behavior directed against the refereeing team or match organizers. CAF is reviewing all footage and will refer the matter to appropriate authorities so that appropriate action can be taken against those found guilty,» the CAF statement said.

«We strongly condemn the behavior of some ‘supporters’, but also of some Senegalese players and coaching staff. It is unacceptable to leave the field of play in this way,» FIFA president Gianni Infantino said in a statement to AFP. “We must always respect the decisions made by the match officials, both on and off the field of play,” he said.

Published on January 19, 2026