FIFA chief Gianni Infantino condemns Senegal for ‘unacceptable scenes’ in Afcon final
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RABAT – FIFA president Gianni Infantino condemned “some Senegal players” for the “unacceptable scenes” which overshadowed their Jan 18 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) final triumph, when they walked off the pitch in protest at a penalty awarded to Morocco.
“We strongly condemn the behaviour of some ‘supporters’ as well as some Senegalese players and technical staff members,” said Infantino in a statement sent to AFP.
“It is unacceptable to leave the field of play in this manner.
“Equally, violence cannot be tolerated in our sport, it is simply not right.”
African football would have been hoping for a thrilling end to a slick and competitive tournament, but woke up with a major headache after the final between Senegal and hosts Morocco descended into farce.
Senegal, who won 1-0 after extra time
They were already furious at having a goal disallowed at the other end for a soft-looking foul minutes earlier.
Trouble, meanwhile, broke out in the stands as some Senegalese fans tried to enter the field of play and became involved in fighting with security personnel.
The players were ordered off the field by coach Pape Thiaw, with some players going back to the dressing room, and it was only after vice-captain Sadio Mane cajoled them back that the game continued.
“What did we say to each other? That’s between us. We did it together and we came back together, that's all that matters,” said goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, one of those involved in ugly scenes of jostling and arguing between the players.
“Things happened, but in the end what matters is that football won.”
Eventual match winner Pape Gueye added: “Sadio told us to come back on and we remobilised... We had a feeling of injustice. Just before the penalty, we thought we should have had a goal and the referee didn’t go to VAR.”
The penalty was awarded following a video assistant referee (VAR) check by Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala, after Brahim Diaz had been tugged to the ground by Senegal fullback El Hadji Malick Diouf while defending a corner five minutes into stoppage time.
There was a 14-minute delay between the awarding of the penalty, after a lengthy VAR review, and the taking of the kick.
Then Diaz, who had been the Atlas Lions’ star performer as they reached the final for the first time in 22 years, saw his Panenka-style chip effort float into Mendy’s arms, leaving the game goal-less and having to go into extra time.
Morocco coach Walid Regragui said the delay did not help Diaz.
“But that doesn’t excuse Brahim for the way he hit the penalty. He hit it like that and we have to accept it,” he said.
“We were one minute from being African champions. That’s football. It’s often cruel. We missed what for some was the opportunity of a lifetime.”
Gueye won the trophy for Senegal with a superb strike four minutes into extra time, handing them their second trophy in the last three editions and extending Morocco’s poor record in the tournament which they won 50 years ago.
But Senegal’s success will be overshadowed by the controversy of the walkout and fan behaviour, blemishing the image of the African game which only days earlier had boasted of record revenue for its showpiece tournament as interest spread worldwide.
“The image we’ve given of Africa is shameful,” added Regragui. “A coach who asks his players to leave the field... What Pape did does not honour Africa. He wasn’t classy.”
Infantino said: “It is also the responsibility of teams and players to act responsibly and set the right example for fans in the stadiums and millions watching around the world.
“The ugly scenes witnessed today must be condemned and never repeated. I reiterated that they have no place in football and I expect that the relevant disciplinary bodies at CAF will take the appropriate measures.”
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Jan 19 said “appropriate action” would be taken against “those found guilty”, without attributing blame to either Senegal or Morocco.
It said via a statement: “CAF condemns the unacceptable behaviour from some players and officials... especially those targeting the refereeing team or match organisers.”
Thiaw, who was roundly jeered and then walked out of his scheduled post-match press conference, could face sanctions for his actions.
“After thinking about it, I realised that I shouldn’t have asked them to go off. I apologise for that,” he told beIN Sports.
“Sometimes you can react in the heat of the moment. Before that we scored a goal that was not given. But now we accept that referees do make mistakes and we apologise.” REUTERS, AFP
