The defeat in the Africa Cup final hurts the whole of Morocco - above all because of the sometimes scandalous circumstances. These are now to be investigated. The association has chosen legal means to do so.
19.01.2026, 18:17
dpa
Morocco will not simply let the scandalous home defeat in the Africa Cup final against Senegal sit on its hands. The Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) has announced that it will take legal action with the African Football Confederation (Caf) and the world governing body (FIFA).
The aim is to force an investigation into the Senegalese team's departure from the pitch during the turbulent final phase of normal time. "This situation had a significant impact on the normal course of the game and the performance of the players," said the FRMF in a statement explaining its decision.
In stoppage time of normal time, with the score at 0-0, Senegal were awarded what they considered to be an unjustified penalty. In protest, the players went into the dressing room on the instructions of coach Pape Thiaw. There was a brief threat of a stoppage.
The Senegalese team only returned to the pitch after the intervention of former Bayern star Sadio Mané. The game was restarted after an interruption of almost 20 minutes, Brahim Díaz missed the penalty miserably and extra time was played. Senegal eventually won 1:0.
Apology from the coach, demand from the FIFA boss
Senegal coach Thiaw subsequently apologized for his behaviour: "We shouldn't have reacted like that, but it's in the past now. We apologize to football."
FIFA President Gianni Infantino criticized the incidents as well as the behavior of the winning team and some of the fans who had clashed with the security forces. "It is unacceptable to leave the pitch in this way and violence must not be tolerated in our sport," said the Swiss. He expects the relevant disciplinary bodies of the African Football Confederation Caf to take the appropriate measures.
Unlucky player speaks out
The unfortunate penalty taker Díaz spoke out via Instagram a day after his faux pas. "My soul hurts," wrote the Real Madrid professional: "Yesterday I failed and I take full responsibility and apologize from the bottom of my heart." Díaz had failed with a so-called Panenka penalty - a lob into the middle of the goal - against Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.
