Unraveling the Controversial Final of the Africa Cup of Nations 2025
Weeks after the conclusion of the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 final, the repercussions of this highly contentious event continue to ignite extensive discussions within both football and media circles. New insights are emerging, shedding light on the events that transpired both on and off the pitch during this pivotal match that captured the attention of thousands in the stadium and millions more watching from home.
As the dust settles on the final, it becomes evident that the incidents witnessed during the match were merely the tip of the iceberg. Reports, including one from the Spanish newspaper AS, indicate that tensions began to mount days before the match kick-off, with the Senegalese squad failing to adhere to several organizational recommendations from the Confederation of African Football (CAF), both prior to and during the match.
Specifically, the newspaper highlights that the protests voiced by the Senegalese team throughout the tournament lose considerable weight when considering the behind-the-scenes events that unfolded. Early signs of discord were evident, as issues surfaced leading up to the final. Reports indicated that the "Lions of Teranga" were warned about potential crowd congestion while traveling by train from Tangier to Rabat, with logistical alternatives suggested to prevent any ensuing chaos.
Moreover, the concerns extended to their accommodation and training facilities. CAF allocated the modern Mohammed VI Football Complex for the Senegalese team, a state-of-the-art training center that also served as the Moroccan team's base during the tournament. However, Senegalese officials expressed fears regarding what they perceived as potential "espionage" and a lack of tactical confidentiality during their preparations for the match, a claim lacking substantial evidence given the complex's ample space, which includes at least 14 football pitches and various facilities allowing teams to train independently. Previous experiences during the tournament, such as Cameroon sharing the same venue with Morocco, had not resulted in any significant issues, further undermining these claims.
Pre-Match Tensions and Unprecedented Protests
As the kick-off approached, additional indicators of heightened tension became apparent. On the eve of the match, the Senegalese Football Federation submitted an official protest to CAF, demanding the replacement of the Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ngambo Ndala with a different officiating crew. This request was, however, denied.
These cumulative tensions ultimately set the stage for a match that transformed from a continental football celebration into an unprecedented crisis in the final moments. During stoppage time, specifically in the 97th minute, Senegalese players left the pitch in protest against a penalty awarded to Morocco, shockingly heading towards the changing rooms. Some players even opted to broadcast live on social media, while organizers attempted to manage the situation, eliciting widespread debate.
In this context, the French newspaper Le Monde reported that Olivier Safran, the head of CAF's refereeing committee, acknowledged that "institutional" instructions were issued during the game stoppage, preventing yellow cards from being issued to the Senegalese players upon their return to the field, despite the fact that such actions could have led to suspensions for players with previous warnings, directly affecting the match's outcome.
Additionally, official reports compiled post-match revealed stark discrepancies in the narratives provided by CAF officials regarding the events. Referee Jean-Jacques Ngambo Ndala noted in his report that "play was temporarily halted" in the 97th minute due to the protests from Senegalese players, who left the field based on their coach's directives. Conversely, the tournament's general coordinator, Tunisian Khaled Lamakcher, described the players' actions as "intense protests" that intensified following the penalty announcement, confirming that players had exited the pitch toward the changing rooms, leaving the game. Only Sadio Mané remained on the field, eventually requesting a coaching staff member to inform his teammates to return and complete the match.
In conclusion, following CAF's disciplinary committee's attempt at balancing penalties imposed on both sides, Morocco appealed to the appeals committee, which referenced Article 82 of the Africa Cup of Nations regulations in its report, asserting that the article directly applies to the incident involving the Senegalese players' withdrawal, as it does not stipulate any specific conditions.
As reported by ar.yabiladi.com.
