Senegal have been hit with a fine and seen their coach, as well as two players, banned following the chaotic scenes in the AFCON final against Morocco, which saw them mount a protest
Senegal have been hit with major punishments following the unsavoury scenes in the AFCON final with coach Pape Thiaw banned for five matches and two of his players also hit with similar sanctions.
That is as well as a fine, handed down from CAF, the governing body of African football. They’ve been penalised for several misdemeanours, including unsporting conduct and misconduct, with the overall sum totalling £440,000. Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr, who were involved in the late chaos, have both been banned for two matches.
It all stemmed from beaten finalists Morocco being awarded a stoppage-time penalty. West Ham star El Hadji Malick Diouf was pinned for a foul on Brahim Diaz as referee Jean-Jacques Ndala was called to VAR before awarding a spot kick.
Senegal’s players – apart from Liverpool legend Sadio Mane – and their coaching staff ended up leaving the pitch and went back into the changing rooms in protest.
READ MORE: Brahim Diaz issues statement on AFCON penalty after claims he missed on purposeREAD MORE: Sadio Mane finally makes retirement decision after AFCON final madness
After a huge delay they eventually returned after 17 minutes, but Morocco’s moment of glory passed them by as the Real Madrid star tried a Panenka, only to see ex-Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy saved it before Senegal went on to claim extra-time victory. However the unwanted scenes for the whole continent had made worldwide news.
Thiaw has since owned his error after leading his team off the pitch. He said: “I apologise for the football. After reflecting on it I made them come back [on the pitch] – you can react in the heat of the moment.
“We accept the errors of the referee. We shouldn’t have done it but it’s done and now we present our apologies to football.”
Thiaw’s anger, particularly with the referee, stemmed from seeing the referee disallowing a goal from Crystal Palace forward Ismaila Sarr, who had bundled home from close range earlier in the contest. Morocco coach Walid Regragui said Senegal’s actions were “shameful”.
Mane was hailed for his role in restoring peace as he refused to engage in the walk-off protests, instead playing a central role in getting the players back onto the pitch.
He said: ” Football is something special, the world was watching, so we have to give a good image for football. I think it would be crazy to not play this game because what, the referee gave a penalty and we go out of the game? I think that would be the worst thing especially in African football. I’d rather lose than this kind of thing happen to our football.”
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