It was the call and ensuing missed penalty shot heard all across the 54-country continent.
Senegal and host country Morocco met in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final on Sunday night, a highly anticipated matchup between the tournament’s two best teams.
This defensive-heavy chess match was scoreless after 90 minutes of play before entering extra time.
As expected, it got a bit chippy.
It all began when Senegalese midfielder Ismaila Sarr looked to score in the 91st minute, only for referee Jean-Jacques Ndala to call the goal off. Instead, a penalty was issued to Abdoulaye Seck for contact against PSG star Achraf Hakimi.
This is one of many calls that Ndala would make that would go on to bite Senegal.
In the last minute of extra time, Real Madrid standout Brahim Diaz was taken down by a Senegalese player. After arguing and pleading for a penalty, the video assistant referee (VAR) later confirmed the call.
Then, things took a turn for the worse.
Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw, still disgruntled from Sarr’s earlier goal being erased and this subsequent penalty, decided to storm off the field in an indescribable turn of events.
His team followed Thiaw down the tunnel and to the locker room, while fights and brawls broke out as Senegalese fans attempted to jump onto the field. Objects were also tossed onto the pitch.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino lashed out at the behavior of both Senegalese players and their coach on a social media post.
“We strongly condemn the behavior of some supporters as well as some Senegalese players and technical staff members. It is unacceptable to leave the field of play in this manner, and equally, violence cannot be tolerated in our sport,” Infantino wrote on Instagram.
After a lengthy delay of about 17 minutes, play resumed with Diaz in prime position to land Morocco their first AFCON title since 1976.
With the weight of 66,000 in attendance at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Diaz would go on to then miss the chip shot penalty kick, deferring to a ‘panenka’ style kick.
Senegalese goalkeeper Edouard Mendy telegraphed and saved the attempt, to the distaste of many Moroccan fans, and the game continued.
Finally, in the third minute of extra time, a strike from the left leg of Papa Gueye found the back of the net, and Senegal would take a 1-0 lead and ultimately hold on to win the game.
Despite the triumphant win, Thiaw, the Senegalese players, and supporters will face repercussions.
The Confederation of African football (CAF) said in a statement that it “strongly condemns any inappropriate behaviour which occurs during matches, especially those targeting the refereeing team or match organizers.”
Infantino, who was elected FIFA president in 2016, added, “The ugly scenes witnessed today must be condemned and never repeated. I reiterated that they have no place in football.”
Not only is it a stain on Senegal, but also on Morocco, which is slated to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup with Spain and Portugal.
It’s expected that five of the six venues used during this year’s AFCON Cup will be revamped and ready for 2030.
Let’s hope additional security measures are up to par for that date as well.
