The Royal Moroccan Soccer Federation (RMFF) has introduced plans to pursue authorized motion in opposition to the Confederation of African Soccer (CAF) and FIFA following Senegal’s controversial walk-off through the closing phases of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) closing in Rabat.
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The choice comes after chaotic scenes in Sunday evening’s closing between hosts Morocco and Senegal, when
Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw ordered his gamers to depart the pitch in protest after Morocco had been awarded a late penalty.
The incident sparked widespread condemnation and introduced the match to a brief halt.
Regardless of the disruption, former Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy saved the penalty—taken deep into stoppage time after eight further minutes had initially been added—and Senegal ultimately went on to safe victory in further time to raise the AFCON trophy.
Talking on Monday, Thiaw admitted his mistake and apologised for his actions.
“After enthusiastic about it, I realised that I shouldn’t have requested them to go off. I apologise for that,” he stated. “Generally you react within the warmth of the second. Earlier than that, we scored a purpose that was not given. However we settle for that referees make errors.”
CAF and FIFA are each understood to be reviewing the incident, with Thiaw doubtlessly dealing with a prolonged ban.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino strongly criticised the walk-off, describing it as “unacceptable”.
“It’s unacceptable to depart the sector of play on this method,” Infantino stated. “We should at all times respect the choices taken by match officers. Something much less places the very essence of soccer in danger.”
CAF additionally issued an announcement condemning the behaviour and confirmed that every one obtainable footage is being reviewed, with the matter set to be referred to its disciplinary our bodies.
Morocco head coach Walid Regragui additionally expressed his disappointment, describing the scenes as damaging to African soccer.
“The picture we gave of Africa is shameful,” he stated. “Stopping the match within the eyes of the world didn’t assist anybody.”
In a strongly worded assertion, the RMFF stated it could formally pursue authorized motion over the incident.
“The Royal Moroccan Soccer Federation publicizes that it’ll pursue authorized motion with CAF and FIFA relating to the Senegalese nationwide staff’s withdrawal from the ultimate match and the next occasions following the referee’s resolution to award a penalty kick, a call deemed right by specialists,” the assertion learn.
The federation added that the interruption considerably affected the stream of the match and the efficiency of the Moroccan gamers, whereas additionally thanking followers for his or her “exemplary help” all through the event.
Senegal’s squad returned to Dakar on Monday for victory celebrations, a improvement that has raised considerations amongst European golf equipment awaiting the return of their Senegalese internationals forward of home league fixtures.
The AFCON closing is now anticipated to stay underneath scrutiny as CAF and FIFA take into account potential sanctions arising from one of the vital dramatic and controversial conclusions within the event’s historical past.
