FIFA President Gianni Infantino has criticised the conduct of some Senegalese players and officials following scenes that disrupted the Africa Cup of Nations final on Sunday.
Infantino described the pitch walkout by Senegal players as unacceptable after they protested a late penalty awarded to Morocco during the tense final encounter.
In a statement sent to AFP, the FIFA boss said leaving the field of play in protest was against the spirit of the game and could not be tolerated under any circumstances.
He also condemned acts of violence witnessed during the incident, stressing that football must be played within the rules and in a manner that reflects sportsmanship and respect for officials.
The AFCON final, which ended goalless in regulation time, descended into chaos deep into stoppage time when a VAR review led to Morocco being awarded a penalty for a foul on Brahim Diaz.
Angered by the decision, several Senegal players walked off the pitch, delaying proceedings, while former Liverpool forward Sadio Mane stayed behind and appealed to his teammates to return and resume play.
The situation was further inflamed by Senegal’s frustration over a goal earlier disallowed for what appeared to be a minor infringement at the opposite end of the pitch.
Disorder also spread to the stands as some Senegal supporters attempted to invade the pitch, leading to clashes with security officials and forcing a prolonged stoppage of nearly 20 minutes.
When play eventually resumed, Diaz failed to convert the penalty, as Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy saved his attempted chip.
Senegal later secured victory in extra time when Pape Gueye scored a decisive goal in the fourth minute, sealing a 1-0 win and the continental title.
While congratulating Morocco for a strong tournament performance and successful hosting, Infantino reminded teams of their obligation to respect match officials and adhere strictly to the laws of the game.
He warned that such scenes send a negative message to fans across the world and undermine the integrity of football.
Infantino added that players and teams carry a responsibility to set good examples for supporters in stadiums and millions watching globally.
He called on the Confederation of African Football to take appropriate disciplinary action, insisting that the disorder witnessed during the final must never be repeated in the sport.
