FIFA President Gianni Infantino has condemned Senegal's walk-off protest during the Africa Cup of Nations final, calling the scenes 'unacceptable' and urging disciplinary action. The extraordinary incident saw Senegal's players leave the pitch for 16 minutes after a controversial VAR penalty decision against them, with manager Pape Thiaw ordering the protest. The match eventually resumed, but the fallout threatens to overshadow Morocco's 2-1 defeat.
Under CAF regulations, a team that refuses to play or leaves the field without authorisation forfeits the match 3-0 and faces a fine of at least $20,000. CAF has opened disciplinary proceedings, and Morocco's football federation has confirmed it will pursue legal action with both CAF and FIFA to have the result overturned. FIFA has said it expects 'appropriate measures' from CAF.
The walk-off was only averted by Sadio Mane's insistence on restarting, which prevented referee Jean-Jacques Ndala from abandoning the match. However, the precedent is dangerous, with Infantino warning that such behaviour 'puts the very essence of football at risk'. The incident is unprecedented in the VAR era at this level, and FIFA has been unable to cite any previous case.
Senegal's defence is expected to argue that they did not fully refuse to play, but the rules are clear. The decision on whether to strip Senegal of their title will be highly contentious, but Infantino's statement suggests a firm stance is needed to deter future protests. The outcome will set a crucial precedent for international football, especially in a World Cup year.
