The President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Patrice Motsepe, has strongly condemned the chaos that overshadowed the recently concluded 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.
The final, held at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, saw Senegal players walk off the pitch for about 17 minutes in protest after a penalty was awarded to hosts Morocco, following a VAR decision that Brahim Diaz was fouled by El Hadji Malick Diouf.
The Teranga Lions eventually returned to the field and won the title after extra time, with goalkeeper Edouard Mendy saving Diaz’s panenka attempt. Pape Gueye scored the only goal of the match, securing Senegal’s triumph.
At a press briefing in Tanzania on Friday, Motsepe expressed his disappointment over the walk-off incident, describing it as unacceptable.
“I was extremely disappointed with what happened at the AFCON final in Morocco. That should not happen again, and it will not happen again,” he said. “It was a blemish on what was otherwise a beautiful final.”
Motsepe added: “On the final of the AFCON, that behaviour and conduct must not happen again. We will not tolerate it. There is zero tolerance, and it is non-negotiable. When people commit serious transgressions, there should be equally serious punishments and fines.”
Senegal and Morocco have both been charged in relation to the incidents that marred the final.
Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda are set to co-host the 2027 AFCON tournament in East Africa.
