The final of the Africa Cup of Nations descended into farce on Sunday as Senegal players left the field in protest over a penalty awarded to Morocco.
In extraordinary scenes, head coach Pape Thiaw appeared to urge his players off the pitch in Rabat following the decision to give the host nation a spot-kick deep into second-half stoppage time.
Brahim Diaz won the penalty after a VAR check determined that El Hadji Malick Diouf had fouled him by putting an arm around his neck when defending a Morocco corner.
The incident came moments after Senegal had a goal disallowed for a foul on Achraf Hakimi, which was also a debatable decision.
Senegal leave field over penalty protest in AFCON final
In the eighth minute of second-half stoppage time, Morocco were given a penalty for a foul on Diaz by Diouf. The Senegal full-back was judged to have pulled Diaz to the ground at a corner.
Referee Jean‑Jacques Ngambo Ndala awarded the spot-kick following a VAR review, prompting bedlam on the field.
Senegal were furious at the decision, and before the penalty could be taken, head coach Thiaw summoned his players to the sideline and encouraged them to leave the field of play, apparently in protest. After a few minutes of arguments on the touchline, the team headed down the tunnel to the locker rooms, with the exception of captain Sadio Mane.
😲 Chaos in the Africa Cup of Nations final! Play is halted after Morocco are awarded a penalty at the death.#AFCONFinal | #TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 pic.twitter.com/6g35rX6soq
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) January 18, 2026
Mane urged his team-mates to return and, as the clock ticked beyond the 20th minute of added time, the rest of the Senegal side came back onto the field. Channel 4 in the UK reported that Senegal fans inside the stadium were seen throwing chairs onto the pitch during the wait for play to resume, prompting police to intervene.
Eventually, the penalty was taken, but Diaz’s attempted Panenka was saved by Edouard Mendy. The referee immediately signalled the end of regulation time, with extra time to follow.
Sadio Mane was instrumental in calling the Senegal players back to the pitch 👏#AFCONFinal | #TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 pic.twitter.com/LV34ZuSoL4
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) January 18, 2026
Morocco players looked nonplussed as Mendy caught the ball and pointed to the sky. Head coach Walid Regragui then appeared to berate Diaz after the referee signalled the end of normal time. Footage from a fan zone showed thousands of home fans in disbelief as confetti cannons were mistakenly set off.
Early in extra time, Pape Gueye scored a stunning goal to secure victory for Senegal.
Brahim Diaz wins top-scorer award after ‘Panenka’ miss
Diaz was visibly shaken after fulltime as he collected his prize for finishing as the tournament’s top goal-scorer.
He was presented the award by FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who appeared to try to console him on the podium. Diaz paused for a photograph before leaving the stage quickly.
