What You Need to Know
Morocco has announced plans to sue FIFA regarding the outcome of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final against Senegal. The match ended in a 1-0 defeat for Morocco after extra time, following a controversial penalty decision that led to Senegal’s players protesting and temporarily leaving the field. The Moroccan Football Federation aims to address the implications of this incident and the VAR’s
Africa. Morocco will sue over the result of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final held on Sunday, where Senegal’s players protested a penalty awarded against them by temporarily leaving the field, but they later returned to secure victory.
Morocco lost to Senegal 1-0 after extra time in the decisive match held in Rabat, but the home team had a chance to win the title with a penalty in the final moments of regular time.
Senegal’s players withdrew in protest against the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) decision to award Morocco a penalty for a shoulder pull on striker Ibrahim Diaz, who missed the penalty after a 14-minute wait before Senegal’s players returned.
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation announced it would sue the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and FIFA to address the withdrawal of Senegal’s players from the field during the final against Morocco, as well as the circumstances surrounding this decision, after the referee awarded a penalty that all experts deemed correct. The statement added: “This situation had a significant impact on the course of the match and the players’ performance.”
It remains unclear what Morocco hopes to achieve through this complaint, aside from formally protesting the match result. Earlier on Monday, FIFA President Gianni Infantino and CAF condemned the behavior of Senegal’s players and coaching staff following the chaotic scenes, emphasizing that violence and leaving the field have no place in football.
Infantino stated: “We also witnessed unacceptable scenes on the field and in the stands, and we strongly condemn the behavior of some fans, as well as some Senegalese players and coaching staff.”
He added: “It is unacceptable to leave the field in this manner, and violence in our sport cannot be tolerated; it is completely rejected.” He continued: “We must always respect the referees’ decisions both on and off the field. Teams must compete on the field and within the framework of the game’s rules, as any failure to do so jeopardizes the essence of football.”
CAF announced that it is reviewing the footage and that disciplinary actions will be taken later, adding that it “condemns the unacceptable behavior of some players and officials.”
The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is a prestigious continental football tournament held every two years, featuring national teams from across Africa. The tournament has a rich history, showcasing the continent’s football talent and often serving as a platform for emerging players. Recent editions have seen increasing scrutiny over officiating decisions, particularly with the introduction of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology, which aims to enhance fairness in the game.
