Wayne Lumbasi
FIFA has moved to address growing speculation surrounding Senegal’s Africa Cup of Nations triumph after chaotic scenes marred the final and sparked claims that the champions could face the unprecedented sanction of being stripped of the title.
The controversy followed Senegal’s tense 1- 0 victory over Morocco in the AFCON final, a match overshadowed by heated protests, a temporary walk-off by Senegal players and staff, and disturbances in the stands. The incident triggered widespread debate over whether Senegal breached competition regulations by briefly refusing to continue play.
In a strongly worded statement, FIFA president Gianni Infantino condemned the conduct witnessed during the final, describing it as unacceptable and damaging to the image of the sport. He stressed that respect for match officials and adherence to the laws of the game are non-negotiable principles at every level of football, particularly on such a high-profile stage .
The flashpoint came late in regulation time when a VAR review led to a penalty decision in Morocco’s favor. Senegal’s players and technical bench reacted angrily, surrounding officials before walking off the pitch in protest. Although they eventually returned and the match was completed after delays, the scenes fueled claims that Senegal may have violated CAF rules governing match abandonment or refusal to play.
Despite the uproar, FIFA stopped short of calling for the title to be revoked. Instead, Infantino emphasized that disciplinary matters fall under the jurisdiction of the Confederation of African Football, urging CAF to investigate the incidents thoroughly and take appropriate action against individuals found to have breached regulations .
CAF has since confirmed it is reviewing referee reports, video footage and security assessments from the final. While the governing body acknowledged the seriousness of the events, officials noted that the match was ultimately concluded in full, a factor widely viewed as reducing the likelihood of retrospective disqualification or title stripping .
Nevertheless, the episode has cast a shadow over Senegal’s success and reignited debate about discipline, officiating and player conduct in African football. FIFA’s intervention shows its concern that the credibility of major tournaments must be protected, particularly as African football continues to grow in global prominence.
As CAF’s disciplinary process unfolds, Senegal remain officially recognized as AFCON champions. For now, the focus appears to be on accountability rather than rewriting the result, though the final word will rest with African football’s governing authorities.
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