What could have been one of the most dramatic and greatest Africa Cup of Nations finals in recent memory descended into scenes of chaos.
The ending of the game was already controversial and wemotions were running high.
But what happened after the final whistle and especially during the post-match press conference took the chaos to a next level.
Morocco head coach Walid Regragui did not hold back as he addressed the fallout from the final.
His side came agonisingly close to lifting the trophy before everything unravelled in stoppage time.
A Senegal goal was ruled out, VAR intervened, and Morocco were awarded a penalty.
However, Senegal’s players walked off the pitch in protest, delaying proceedings and shifting the momentum.
When play resumed, Brahim Daz missed the decisive penalty, before Senegal national football team went on to secure victory in extra time.
Regragui labelled the scenes ‘shameful’. The Morocco head coach directly accused Senegal coach Pape Thiaw of damaging the image of African football.
Meanwhile, Senegal midfielder Pape Gueye defended his team’s actions. He also revealed that Sadio Mane played a key role in convincing the players to return to the pitch and finish the match.
However, the tension did not stop there. As Thiaw entered the press room, he was met with both cheers and boos. Shortly after, Moroccan journalists started a mass walkout, as per The Athletic.
What followed next was an explosive exchange between Senegalese and Moroccan media members. This forced officials to halt the conference entirely.
In the end, Thiaw left the stage but journalists continued arguing. And CAF officials had to abruptly shut everything down.
It was a chaotic conclusion to an unforgettable night, one that underlined just how thin the line can be between passion and disorder on football’s biggest stages.
Want to get the latest transfer news direct to your phone? Join our WhatsApp community by clicking here.
