AFCON 2025: SFF breaks silence on the incidents in Senegal - Morocco
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All original articlesThe day after the second continental consecration of Senegal, the atmosphere is one of celebration but also of defense of national honor. Bacary Cissé, president of the Communication Commission of the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF), returned to the incidents that plagued the final against Morocco in Rabat, firmly defending the choice of Pape Thiaw to withdraw his players from the field.
Senegal enjoys, but it is also already preparing for the legal response. Despite the victory (1-0 A.E.) won in pain in the final of the AFCON 2025, the Senegalese side is under the threat of sanctions from the CAF following the strong decision by coach Pape Thiaw to send its players back to the locker room to protest against the refereeing.
An arbitration under fire of critics
For Bacary Cissé, the origin of the crisis is obvious: a series of arbitration decisions deemed inconsistent that have pushed Senegalese nerves to the limit. The leader points in particular to the denied goal to Abdoulaye Seck.
«Everything started with a game fact and a bad arbitration decision, but it remains normal because it is part of the sequence of events in a match. Between Morocco and Senegal, there are links that go beyond football, but at some point, everyone must defend their country’s colors,"
he said to the microphone of TFM.
He insists on the duel between Achraf Hakimi and Abdoulaye Seck:
“Everyone saw that Senegal had scored a worthy goal. At no point did Hakimi deal with the ball; he focused on Abdoulaye Seck, because he knew that he left no gifts on the air balls. The referee’s decisions, notably the offside that led to the corner and the penalty, created a natural frustration.”
While clashes broke out in the stands and on the bench, Cissé insisted on highlighting the stoicism of Pape Thiaw’s players. According to him, Senegal remained professional despite a hostile context in Rabat.
“The Senegalese players have so far remained humble, even in victory. There has been no noise, no provocation. Their attitude reflected humility and concentration, as if they had lost the match, as they were focused on their goal. I understand Pape Thiaw’s attitude.”
Senegal calm in the face of possible upcoming sanctions
The African Football Confederation has already opened a disciplinary investigation. Pape Thiaw risks a suspension of several matches and the FSF could be fined for having interrupted the meeting, in addition to possible closed matches given the attitude of some supporters. Yet the tone remains confident within the Senegalese governing body.
“Today, there is a lot of noise around these events, but Senegal remains focused. We have competent leaders who know the regulations perfectly. For the moment, we will enjoy our victory, stay calm and not publish any comments or statements. We have competent leaders and we will prepare for anything.”
What the CAF regulations say
The withdrawal of the team: According to the statutes of the CAF (Chapter 22, article 82), any refusal to continue playing or any field withdrawal by a team is liable to a defeat by default and to suspension. However, as Senegal has resumed the game after several minutes of hesitation and the match has come to an end, the grievance could turn into 'unsportsmanlike behavior' rather than a withdrawal.
The precedent of Morocco: Morocco, the host country, is also under observation for security management, following the violence reported in stands between supporters.
The history of interrupted finals: This is not a first in the history of African football. In 2019, during the Champions League final between Esperance de Tunis and Wydad Casablanca, a refusal to resume play following a breakdown of the VAR had led to months of legal battles before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).