The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has strongly condemned the unacceptable conduct of certain players and officials following the chaotic conclusion of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final. The highly anticipated match, played on Sunday night at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, saw host nation Morocco face Senegal in a showpiece event that was ultimately overshadowed by controversy.

The final was disrupted by player protests, a temporary walkout, and crowd unrest, all triggered by a contentious late refereeing decision. These incidents detracted from what was meant to be a celebration of African football’s premier international competition.

Late VAR Decision Sparks Protests and Walk-Off

The flashpoint occurred deep into stoppage time with the score locked at 0–0. Following a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review, the referee awarded Morocco a penalty after ruling that Senegal defender Moussa Diouf had committed a foul on Morocco forward Brahim Díaz.

The decision sparked furious protests from Senegalese players and officials, several of whom walked off the pitch in open disagreement. The match was suspended for approximately 20 minutes as tensions spilled over into the stands, prompting security personnel to intervene and prevent supporters from entering the field of play.

In a statement released on Monday, CAF condemned the behaviour witnessed during the final, reiterating its zero-tolerance stance toward actions that undermine the integrity of the game. The governing body emphasized the importance of respect for match officials and organizers, reaffirming its commitment to fair play and discipline.

Mane’s Intervention, Senegal’s Triumph, and CAF Investigation

As the situation threatened to spiral out of control, Senegal captain Sadio Mané played a decisive role in restoring order, urging his teammates to return to the pitch so the match could be completed. When play resumed, Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy produced a dramatic moment by saving Brahim Díaz’s attempted Panenka penalty, swinging momentum firmly in Senegal’s favour.

Buoyed by that reprieve, Senegal went on to secure a dramatic 1–0 victory in extra time. Pape

struck a powerful long-range effort early in the added period, sealing Senegal’s second AFCON title and adding to their triumph in 2021.

Despite the controversy, the tournament concluded with Senegal lifting the trophy, while Morocco—appearing in their first AFCON final since 2004—were left heartbroken on home soil after an otherwise impressive campaign. CAF has confirmed that all incidents from the final are under review and that the matter will be referred to the appropriate disciplinary bodies once all available footage has been thoroughly examined