Senegal coach Pape Thiaw apologized for asking his players to leave the field after a penalty was given to hosts Morocco in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final in Rabat on Sunday.
A late penalty was awarded to the Atlas Lions after a lengthy VAR check for a challenge on Brahmin Diaz by Senegalese 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 penalty was given, 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 left the field.
READ ALSO: Senegal wins AFCON 2025 after beating Morocco in chaotic final
«I didn’t appreciate telling my players to leave the field at all. I apologize for the football,» Thiaw said beIN SPORTS said after the game.
«After a lot of thought, I let them come back. Sometimes you can react in the heat of the moment. But we accept the referee’s mistakes.»
Diaz finally took the kick in the 24th minute of added time, but his chip attempt was saved by Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, leaving the score at 0–0 and sending the final to extra time.
Ultimately, Pape Gueye’s goal proved to make the difference as the Teranga Lions won the title at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
Published on January 19, 2026
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