Gianni Infantino has described the conduct of Senegalese players and supporters during the Africa Cup of Nations final as “unacceptable”, after chaotic scenes disrupted the closing stages of the tournament.
The AFCON final took a dramatic and controversial turn on Sunday night when several Senegal players walked off the pitch in protest at a refereeing decision to award Morocco a penalty.
The stoppage, which lasted several minutes, brought the match to a halt and heightened tensions inside the stadium. Senegal eventually returned from the dressing room and the final resumed, ending with the outcome already known, but the scenes left a sour note at the conclusion of the competition.
The disorder extended beyond the pitch. Some supporters attempted to invade the field of play, further escalating an already volatile situation and prompting condemnation from football’s world governing body.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino responded publicly through an Instagram post, expressing clear frustration at what he witnessed.
“We witnessed unacceptable scenes on the pitch and in the stands. We strongly condemn the behavior of some ‘fans’ as well as some Senegalese players and technical staff.
It is unacceptable to leave the pitch in this manner, and likewise, violence cannot be tolerated in our sport,” he wrote.
Infantino stressed that respect for match officials remains fundamental to the integrity of the game, regardless of the circumstances or the importance of the occasion.
“We must always respect the decisions made by referees on and off the field. Teams must compete on the field and in accordance with the laws of the game, because any breach of this rule jeopardizes the very essence of football.
It is also the responsibility of teams and players to act responsibly and set a good example for fans in stadiums and for the millions of viewers around the world,” he reminds us.
Following the final, Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw issued an apology, acknowledging that he should not have instructed his players to leave the pitch in protest.
His admission came amid growing scrutiny of the team’s conduct during the decisive moments of the match.
Infantino concluded his statement by signalling that the matter would not end with public criticism alone.
He said he expected the Confederation of African Football’s disciplinary bodies to “take appropriate action” in response to the incidents that overshadowed the final.
The episode brought an abrupt and uneasy end to a tournament that had otherwise delivered high-level football and intense competition.
Instead of celebrations and reflection, attention now turns to potential disciplinary consequences, with the aftermath serving as a reminder that emotions in major finals can never excuse actions that undermine the game.
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