Senegalese media outlets blamed controversial refereeing decisions for the chaos that followed the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final against Morocco, after protests by players and staff and clashes between fans and security forces at Rabat’s Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
According to Senegalese outlet Seneweb, the turning point came when “the referee awarded a highly contested penalty to Morocco after a VAR review,” a decision it said “sparked outrage among Senegal, to the point that several players considered leaving the pitch in protest.”
In a separate article, Seneweb described the Senegal-Morocco final as “a match no one could have imagined,” saying the stadium “descended into total confusion as the game spiraled into the irrational.”
“The AFCON final ended abruptly after a refereeing decision in stoppage time that set off a powder keg,” the outlet wrote.
Seneweb added that Senegalese players and staff were “furious over what they considered a blatant injustice,” describing what it called a surreal scene in which coach Pape Thiaw ordered his players to leave the pitch.
In another article, the outlet quoted French journalist Grégory Schneider, who echoed criticism of refereeing controversies at the tournament and sarcastically suggested that the AFCON be awarded directly to Morocco “to keep it simple.”
Other Senegalese media took a more celebratory tone. Outlet Senego welcomed the Teranga Lions’ victory over Morocco, even as it acknowledged that “the final was marked by controversy.”
For Senego, the result confirmed “Senegal’s place among the great nations of African football,” arguing that “triumph at this level is built on the ability to manage difficult moments and be decisive at key times.”
Some sports analysts said Senegal, led by coach Pape Thiaw, relied on what they described as “football cunning” to secure the title, while placing primary responsibility for the outcome on Morocco’s technical staff.
Moroccan football analyst Mohamed Achibane offered a more critical assessment of Senegal’s conduct. He said Senegal’s players and staff did not directly violate the rules but engaged in behavior that disrupted their opponents and undermined the tournament’s atmosphere.
“Top teams must accept refereeing decisions, even when they are questionable,” Achibane said, warning that protest and pressure risk damaging fair play and the credibility of referees.
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