Senegal Coach Thiaw Apologises Over Pitch Walkout During AFCON Final
Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw has issued a public apology following a controversial incident during his team’s 1-0 victory over hosts Morocco in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final on Sunday night.
Thiaw briefly instructed his players to leave the pitch in protest after a penalty was awarded to Morocco in the closing stages of regulation time, sparking scenes of confusion and tension at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
The penalty was given following a VAR review which determined that Senegal defender Malick Diouf had pulled Morocco’s Brahim Diaz inside the box. The decision prompted an emotional reaction from the Senegalese coaching staff, with Thiaw momentarily ordering his squad off the field in an unprecedented show of dissent.
According to Sky Sports on Monday, Thiaw reflected on the incident in his post-match remarks, expressing regret for the actions taken in the heat of the moment.
“I don’t want to go over the incidents. I apologise for the football. After reflecting on it, I made them come back on the pitch. You can react in the heat of the moment. We accept the errors of the referee. We shouldn’t have done it, but it is done, and we present our apologies to football,” Thiaw said.
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The Senegal coach acknowledged the emotional intensity surrounding the final and stressed the importance of professionalism and accountability, urging players and supporters to focus on moving forward from the episode.
Diaz eventually stepped up to take the penalty but saw his effort saved by Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, preserving the scoreless deadlock and forcing the match into extra time, where Pape Gueye’s 94th-minute strike secured the title for the West Africans.
The walkout, though brief, drew sharp criticism from Morocco’s head coach, Walid Regragui, who did not hold back in his assessment of Thiaw’s conduct during the final.
Regragui described his Senegalese counterpart as “shameful” in the aftermath of the match, expressing disappointment at the manner in which the protest unfolded during such a significant occasion. The Moroccan coach’s remarks reflected the frustration felt by the hosts, who saw their hopes of claiming a second AFCON title on home soil dashed in dramatic and contentious circumstances.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has since condemned the behaviour of some players and officials during the final, issuing a statement on Monday addressing the conduct witnessed in Rabat. While CAF did not immediately specify the sanctions or further steps to be taken, the continental body emphasised the need for respect, discipline, and adherence to the laws of the game at all levels of competition.
The incident has sparked widespread debate across African football circles, with analysts and former players weighing in on the appropriateness of Thiaw’s actions and the broader implications for the sport’s image on the continent. Some have argued that the walkout, though improper, was a manifestation of the high stakes and intense emotions inherent in a tournament final, while others have condemned it as a dangerous precedent that undermines the authority of match officials.
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Senegal’s victory, their second AFCON title in four years, has been overshadowed to some extent by the controversy, though the team’s on-field achievement remains a historic moment for West African football. The nation previously won the tournament in 2021 after defeating Egypt on penalties in Yaoundé, Cameroon, and has now cemented its place among the continent’s elite footballing nations.
Morocco, meanwhile, were left to reflect on a painful defeat in front of their home supporters. The Atlas Lions had been widely tipped to claim the trophy after a strong campaign that included impressive victories in the knockout stages. Their last continental triumph came in 1976, and Sunday’s loss extended their wait for a second title to nearly five decades.
The 2025 AFCON final will be remembered not only for Senegal’s triumph and Morocco’s heartbreak, but also for the scenes of protest and the subsequent apologies that followed.