Senegalese players leave the field in protest following referee Jean Jacques Ndala’s decision to award a stoppage time penalty to opponents Morocco.

The African Cup of Nations is rarely devoid of drama, and at times chaos. Yet the finale to this years edition managed to leave the most avid of the competition’s viewers in a state of shock.

Senegal beat Morocco 1-0 to lift the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) for a second time, clinched by a later winner from Villarreal midfielder Pape Gueye in the fourth minute of extra time. Those celebrations though were preceded by a temporary refusal to play and significant clashes between fans and stadium officials. Head coach Pape Thiaw had ushered his side from the field following what he perceived as a catalogue of poor decisions in favour of opponents Morocco. Despite his official media briefing being cancelled in the chaos, the Senegal coach later expressed his regret at his decision whilst speaking to BEIN Sports:

“We shouldn’t have done it but it’s done and now we present our apologies to football.”

FIFA president Gianni Infantino also strongly condemned the “ugly scenes” in a post on social media.