Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw abandoned his post-match press conference after a confrontation with journalists following Senegal’s victory over Morocco in the final of the Africa Cup of Nations 2025, bringing a tense end to celebrations of the historic triumph.
The incident unfolded shortly after the final whistle of the tournament’s showpiece match between Senegal and Morocco.
Thiaw entered the press room accompanied by his daughter, preparing to address the media after guiding his team to victory.
However, the atmosphere quickly deteriorated as disagreements emerged between the Senegal coach and a group of Moroccan journalists.
The tensions stemmed from events during the match itself. After the referee awarded Morocco a penalty, Thiaw strongly disputed the decision.
In response, he instructed his players to leave the field in protest, a move that immediately drew criticism and sparked controversy.
The decision angered sections of the Moroccan media, who carried their grievances into the post-match press conference.
As Thiaw took his seat, journalists confronted him over the on-field incident, leading to a heated exchange.
The situation escalated rapidly, with emotions running high and the atmosphere in the room becoming increasingly hostile. Attempts to continue the press briefing proved impossible as the disagreement intensified.
With tensions continuing to rise, Thiaw chose to end the press conference and leave the room, bringing the media session to an abrupt close.
The cancellation marked a dramatic conclusion to a night that had begun in celebration for Senegal, who had just secured the AFCON title after defeating Morocco in the final.
The episode overshadowed what had been a significant sporting achievement for Senegal and shifted attention away from the team’s success on the pitch.
Instead of focusing on the triumph itself, attention turned to the dispute, the controversial in-game decision and the breakdown of the post-match media engagement.
The images from the press room quickly circulated, capturing the strain and emotion surrounding the incident.
What should have been a moment of reflection and celebration for the Senegalese coach and his players ended in disorder, underlining how tensions from the field can spill into the aftermath of major international finals.
The abandoned press conference now stands as one of the defining off-field moments of the AFCON 2025 final, adding controversy to a match that had already delivered high drama and intense emotion.
