Gianni Infantino Condemns “Unacceptable” Scenes After Thiaw Apologizes for Halting Title Match
Senegal’s Africa Cup of Nations triumph is now mired in a growing disciplinary crisis after FIFA President Gianni Infantino publicly called for punishment against head coach Pape Thiaw, labeling the team’s mid-final walk-off “unacceptable” and a danger to the sport.
The controversy stems from the chaotic climax of Sunday’s final against Morocco, when Thiaw instructed his players to leave the pitch in protest of a late penalty decision, halting the match for over 10 minutes. Although Senegal returned to win 1-0 in extra time, the act has triggered a stern response from football’s highest authority.
“It is unacceptable to leave the field of play in this manner,” Infantino stated in a forceful Instagram post. “The ugly scenes witnessed today must be condemned and never repeated… I expect that the relevant disciplinary bodies at CAF will take the appropriate measures.”
His direct appeal to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) places intense pressure on the governing body to sanction Thiaw, who now faces a likely suspension despite a heartfelt public apology.
“We shouldn’t have done it, but it’s done, and now we present our apologies to football,” an emotional Thiaw told BeIN Sports after the match, explaining he reacted in the heat of the moment. “I made them come back… We accept the errors of the referee.”
According to Senegalese star Sadio Mané, Thiaw’s initial impulse was even more extreme—the coach reportedly wanted to withdraw from the final entirely. “It would have been crazy not to play,” Mané said afterwards, revealing his own reluctance to join the protest.
The fallout extended beyond the pitch, as a post-match press conference was canceled following arguments between Senegalese and Moroccan journalists.
Infantino’s extraordinary intervention amplifies the scandal, framing the walk-off not as a passionate protest but as a breach of football’s fundamental principles. “Teams must compete on the pitch and within the Laws of the Game,” he wrote, “because anything less puts the very essence of football at risk.”
With CAF now compelled to act, Senegal’s golden moment is shadowed by the prospect of their coach being banned, turning what should be a period of celebration into one of anxious waiting for an official verdict.
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- Senegal Clinches AFCON Title in Chaotic Final After Moroccan Penalty Drama
- Morocco Coach Denounces Shameful Final Chaos After Heartbreaking Home Defeat
- Did Brahim Díaz Miss His Penalty on Purpose? AFCON Final Ignites Bizarre Conspiracy
