The International Sports Press Association (AIPS) has condemned the conduct of journalists following the chaotic Africa Cup of Nations final between Morocco and Senegal in Rabat on Sunday. Video footage showed Moroccan journalists walking out of the post-match press conference as Senegal coach Pape Bouna Thiaw entered holding his daughter's hand, sparking arguments and scuffles between Moroccan and Senegalese media. The situation continued until Thiaw ultimately left the conference.
Senegal secured a 1-0 victory after extra time, but the final was overshadowed by earlier farcical scenes when Thiaw ordered his players off the pitch in protest at a penalty awarded to Morocco during stoppage time in the second half, when the game was goalless. Midfielder Pape Gueye scored the winning goal in the 94th minute, after Morocco's Brahim Diaz missed a last-gasp penalty in normal time, following a 14-minute delay.
In a statement, the AIPS Executive Committee said: 'The AIPS Executive Committee strongly condemns the behaviour of colleagues who prevented the post-match press conference of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final between Morocco and Senegal in Rabat from proceeding smoothly on Sunday.' The organisation added: 'Our Association cannot accept that certain colleagues could tarnish the dignity of our profession, hence we have asked our colleagues at AIPS Africa for a detailed report on the incident.'
Senegal's players returned home to Dakar in the early hours of Tuesday, parading the trophy in front of thousands of fans. They were greeted by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who said: 'They did it heroically, they played beautiful football, they were incredibly fair and they were exemplary both on and off the field. We can only be proud of them.'
