AFCON Final in Chaos: Senegal Walk Off in Protest Over Late Penalty

Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations final was thrown into chaos as Senegal players walked off the pitch in protest over a controversial late penalty awarded to Morocco, causing nearly a 20-minute delay at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.

Angry Senegal fans threw objects as they tried to enter the field, while Morocco stood on the brink of winning the final with what seemed like the last kick of the match.

Eventually, Brahim Diaz stepped up to take the penalty in the 24th minute of stoppage time, but his attempted Panenka chip was saved by Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, keeping the score level at 0-0 and sending the match into extra time.

The penalty decision followed a lengthy VAR review after Senegal defender El Hadji Malick Diouf’s challenge on Diaz. Diaz led the Moroccan protests, calling insistently for the penalty, with the Moroccan bench joining in the appeals.

Security stewards and police formed a barrier to control the small section of Senegal supporters at the opposite end of the stadium, and order was restored as extra time got underway.

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