The Africa Cup of Nations concluded in turmoil after the final between Morocco and Senegal descended into chaos amid fierce accusations that referees had favoured the host nation throughout the tournament.
The defining image of this year’s AFCON will likely be the Senegal players walking off the pitch after Morocco were awarded a late penalty at the end of the second half. The controversial decision came shortly after referee Jean-Jacques Ndala disallowed a Senegal goal, sparking a dramatic protest that delayed the match and cast a shadow over the competition’s conclusion.
The Senegalese reaction reflected a deep-seated mistrust that had been building over the three-week tournament, where refereeing decisions were increasingly viewed as biased and inconsistent.
While refereeing criticism is not unusual at AFCON tournaments, this year’s complaints reached unprecedented levels, culminating in a final that many fans and analysts say was marred by officiating controversies. The result tarnished the image of a tournament that had otherwise received widespread praise for its organisation and atmosphere.
“From the start it was unhealthy,” Morocco coach Walid Regragui said after his side lost 1-0 in extra time in front of their home crowd. He pointed to the intense pressure that accompanied every Moroccan match, suggesting that the atmosphere influenced both players and officials.
A Tournament Built on Tension
The controversy was not limited to the final. Morocco’s path to the title was littered with contentious moments that fueled suspicion and anger among opposing teams and supporters.
In the quarterfinals, Cameroon’s defeat to Morocco sparked outrage after the referee failed to award a penalty following a foul on forward Bryan Mbeumo. The Cameroonian camp claimed the decision was unjust and emblematic of a wider pattern.
“Many people want to believe, or make others believe, that we get advantages from the referees,” Regragui said. “We are the team to beat, so people will try to find every possible reason to say that Morocco is favoured.”
Morocco’s semifinal victory over Nigeria also generated controversy. Nigerian midfielder Bright Osayi-Samuel openly criticised the officiating, calling the referee “dreadful” and accusing him of making poor decisions in a high-stakes match.
Referee Under Fire
The final placed Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala at the centre of the storm.
Former French international referee Bruno Derrien argued that Ndala lacked the authority needed to manage the match’s escalating tensions. Derrien suggested that the disallowed Senegal goal should not have been called off, describing the foul as “very light” and saying the play should have continued for VAR review.
“When Senegal had a goal disallowed… I think he blows the whistle too quickly,” Derrien said. “If he had let play continue, the goal would probably have been checked by VAR and likely validated.”
The controversy intensified when Senegal defender El Hadji Malick Diouf pulled Moroccan midfielder Brahim Diaz down by the neck during a corner. Ndala awarded a penalty, a decision that many observers considered dubious given the minimal contact and the already tense atmosphere.
Pitch Invasion of Protest
The penalty decision triggered a furious reaction from Senegal’s players, some of whom walked off the field in protest. Play was delayed for approximately 20 minutes as officials attempted to restore order.
Critics argued that Ndala was too passive during the episode. Under football rules, a player can be shown a yellow card for delaying play or leaving the field without permission — sanctions that could have resulted in dismissals for several Senegalese players already on bookings.
CAF Under Pressure
In the aftermath of the final, FIFA president Gianni Infantino condemned the behaviour of both fans and Senegal’s players, urging the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to take “appropriate measures.”
The final, intended to be a crowning moment for Morocco’s historic run, instead highlighted long-standing concerns about officiating standards at Africa’s premier football tournament. With the fallout still unfolding, the competition’s legacy may now be defined as much by controversy as by celebration.