The culmination of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Rabat was marred by a significant disruption, casting a shadow over the tournament’s final act. The incident, involving the Senegalese national team, prompted a swift and stern reaction from the highest echelons of world football governance.
During the decisive match at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, a contentious ruling by the match official led to an unprecedented protest. The Senegalese squad, in a move that halted play, temporarily abandoned the field of play and declined to resume the contest against the host nation, Morocco. This act of defiance, while brief, fundamentally interrupted the flow of the championship decider.
Official Condemnation from Football’s Apex Body
This dramatic protest did not go unnoticed by the sport’s global leadership. FIFA President Gianni Infantino publicly addressed the situation, directing criticism specifically towards “some Senegal players.” His condemnation served to underscore the severity with which the governing body viewed the actions that transpired, actions deemed incongruent with the spirit of the game at its most prestigious continental level.
Ultimately, despite the controversy that engulfed the latter stages of the match, the Senegalese team managed to secure the trophy. However, their triumph was indelibly tarnished by the preceding events, transforming what should have been an unadulterated celebration into a victory overshadowed by dispute and official reprimand.