Pape Thiaw Apologises After Senegal Walk-Off In AFCON 2025 Final

Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw has issued a public apology after ordering his players to walk off the pitch during a stormy Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final against hosts Morocco, a night that ended in disorder in the press room.

The flashpoint came late in the match when Moroccan forward Brahim Diaz was awarded a penalty after a challenge by Senegal defender Malick Diouf.

The decision, reached after a VAR review, infuriated the Senegal bench and prompted Thiaw to instruct his side to abandon the match, plunging the stadium into confusion as players disappeared down the tunnel.

After a lengthy delay and frantic interventions from officials and senior players, the Senegal squad eventually returned to complete the game, which they went on to win 1-0 in extra time. The fallout, however, showed no sign of easing.

Speaking after the final, Thiaw conceded that his reaction had crossed a line. “I apologise to football. You can react in the heat of the moment. We accept the referee’s decision. It should not have happened,” he said.

The controversy has continued to reverberate across the football world. Naija News reports that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has condemned the conduct and confirmed that an investigation is underway, while disciplinary measures have not been ruled out.

FIFA has also criticised the disruption that overshadowed the final in Rabat.

Morocco coach Walid Regragui was blunt in his assessment, branding Thiaw’s actions “shameful” as the hosts were left to rue another agonising near miss in their long wait for continental glory.

Like on the pitch, the aftermath inside the media centre at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium proved no calmer. The post-match press conference quickly descended into bedlam as Thiaw faced a hostile reception from sections of the Moroccan media, still seething over the walk-off and the penalty drama.

As the 44-year-old took his seat, jeers and boos rang out. Senegalese journalists responded with applause, drowning out attempts by officials to restore order. With tempers flaring and verbal arguments breaking out, Thiaw waited briefly before standing up and walking out without answering a question, bringing the chaotic session to an abrupt end.

The catalyst for the anger was Thiaw’s unprecedented decision deep into stoppage time. Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala had awarded Morocco a penalty in the 95th minute after a VAR check, ruling that El Hadji Malick Diouf had tugged Brahim Diaz in the area.

The call came moments after Senegal had seen a goal disallowed, further fuelling the sense of injustice on their bench.

Senegal’s players remained off the pitch for close to 15 minutes, leaving Moroccan players and supporters bewildered. It took the intervention of senior figures, including captain Sadio Mane, to persuade the team to return and finish the match.

When play resumed, the drama reached its peak. Brahim Diaz stepped up and attempted a delicate Panenka penalty, only for goalkeeper Edouard Mendy to gather the effort comfortably.

The miss appeared to drain the hosts, while Senegal seized the momentum and struck the decisive blow through Pape Gueye early in extra time.

Thiaw later expanded on his regret in an interview with Bein Sports, saying: “We did not agree with the decision, that is all, and I do not want to go back over what happened in this match. After reflecting, I really did not like the fact that I told my players to leave the pitch.

“I apologise to football. I brought them back. Sometimes you can react in the heat of the moment. We asked ourselves whether that penalty could have been given if our goal before that had been allowed. But now we accept the referee’s mistakes, which can happen. We should not have done it, but it is already done. We apologise.”