Senegal coach Pape Thiaw has defended his team’s controversial decision to walk off the pitch during the Africa Cup of Nations final, describing it as an emotional response taken in the heat of a chaotic moment.
The incident happened last Sunday in stoppage time when Senegal’s players left the field after Morocco were awarded a penalty. The decision came moments after a Senegal goal that could have sealed the title was disallowed, triggering fury among the players and staff.
Pape Thiaw addressed the issue in a post on Instagram on Thursday, explaining his actions and insisting he never meant to undermine the game. He wrote: “It was never my intention to go against the principles of the game I love so much. I simply tried to protect my players from injustice. What some may perceive as a violation of the rules is nothing more than an emotional reaction to the bias of the situation. After deliberation, we decided to resume the match and go for the trophy.”
The dramatic protest led to a lengthy stoppage as star forward Sadio Mané eventually convinced his teammates to return to the pitch, allowing Brahim Díaz to take Morocco’s penalty. Díaz’s effort was saved in the dying moments of normal time, and Senegal went on to win the match in extra time thanks to a goal from Pape Guaye, sealing a 1-0 victory.
The walkoff, however, sparked widespread criticism. FIFA president Gianni Infantino condemned the action the following day, while the Moroccan Football Federation announced it would pursue legal action with FIFA and the Confederation of African Football. The federation argued that the events “significantly impacted the normal flow of the match and the players’ performance.”
The penalty decision also triggered disorder inside the stadium. Fights broke out near the pitch involving players on the sidelines, while stewards clashed with Senegalese fans behind one of the goals. Some supporters breached security and entered the field before being removed, and the chaos contributed to a delay of around 15 minutes. Fighting was still ongoing as Díaz stepped up to take the penalty.
Reflecting on the tournament, Pape Thiaw said: “We experienced an exceptional tournament with magnificent organization, which ended unfortunately in a dramatic fashion.”
He also offered an apology, adding: “I apologize if I have offended anyone, but football lovers will understand that emotion is an integral part of this sport.”
Concluding his statement, Thiaw wrote: “I want to salute our President of the Republic and the Minister of Sports for putting us on the best conditions, our Federation for its unwavering support, and our supporters who have lifted mountains with us.”
“I could not have done all this without my family, my Mom who is no longer here, my Dad, my wife and kids who give me an extra motivation. Finally my boys, those 28 warriors who gave their sweat, blood and soul for their nation. It’s a pleasure to lead you because beyond being legends, you are exceptional people!”
