Manchester United duo make fun of AFCON 2025 title controversy

Manchester United duo Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo have drawn attention after appearing to mock the controversial decision to award the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title to Morocco, despite Senegal originally winning the final.

African football has been gripped by debate following the ruling by the Confederation of African Football, which overturned the result of the final weeks after the match had concluded.

Senegal had secured a 1-0 victory after extra time, but the decision was later reversed due to a temporary walk-off by their players late in regulation time.

The incident occurred after a penalty was awarded to Morocco in the closing stages of normal time, prompting Senegal’s players to leave the pitch briefly in protest before eventually returning to complete the game.

Brahim Díaz missed the resulting penalty, and Senegal went on to score the decisive goal in extra time to lift the trophy on Moroccan soil.

However, two months after the final, CAF’s disciplinary committee ruled against Senegal, awarding a 3-0 victory to Morocco on the grounds of the earlier withdrawal, effectively handing the title to the Atlas Lions.

The decision has sparked outrage within Senegal, with the Senegalese Football Federation reportedly preparing to escalate the matter to higher authorities in a bid to reclaim the title.

Amid the growing controversy, Mbeumo and Diallo were asked about the situation during a press conference while with Manchester United at a training camp in the Republic of Ireland.

Both players reacted with laughter, and Diallo responded briefly, saying: “No comment.”

Their reaction has raised eyebrows, particularly given the presence of Noussair Mazraoui in the Manchester United squad, who represented Morocco during the 2025 tournament.