"Crazy". "Horrible sight". I can't believe it's like a final... "Audience disturbance + boycott during the game." Even flirting

*This content was translated by AI.

Senegal has returned to the top of Africa for the first time in five years. However, what received more attention than Senegal's victory was an unprecedented act of boycotting the team's game and a disturbance from the crowd.

Senegal beat host Morocco 1-0 in the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) held at Prince Muley Abdalla Stadium in Rabat, Morocco on the 19th (Korea time).

As a result, Senegal has won its second championship in five years since the 2021 tournament. On the other hand, Morocco, which sought to reclaim the throne at its home turf for the first time in 50 years since 1976, bowed its head, missing the championship.

The result was Senegal's victory, but the process was chaos itself. British media 'BBC' strongly criticized the match, saying, "The shameful and terrible sight ruined Senegal's victory," adding, "The tournament, which should be a billboard for African football, ended in a terrible way."

The scene in question occurred in extra time in the second half, when it was 0-0. After VAR, the referee declared a penalty kick, saying Senegalese defender El Haji Diouf fouled Morocco's ace Brahim Díaz.

The decision blew up the Senegalese bench. Earlier, Ismaila Sarr scored for Senegal, but the goal was canceled during the build-up because Abdullaye Sek fouled Ashraf Hakimi. Senegal coach Papetiau, who had accumulated unfairness, ordered the team to withdraw as soon as the penalty was declared.

Senegal captain Sadio Mane remained on the ground and said, "This is crazy. He persuaded his teammates, saying, "You can't give up the game," but the players headed to the locker room under the coach's instructions. The atmosphere of the stadium quickly turned into a chaos. Some excited Senegalese fans went on a rampage by ripping off chairs from the stands and throwing them away, and even clashed with security guards.

The game, which had been suspended for about 17 minutes, resumed after twists and turns after Mane's persuasion and coaching staff's reconsideration. However, the chaotic atmosphere was rather poisonous to Morocco. Díaz, who was a kicker, attempted a Panenka kick, but Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy did not fall for it and caught the ball lightly.

Morocco, which lost a golden opportunity, collapsed sharply. Senegal, who survived, decided the match in the fourth minute of extra time with Pape Gueye's golden winning goal.

The aftermath is also intense. Morocco coach Walid Regraghi expressed anger, saying, "Senegal's actions are shameful and have tarnished the reputation of African football." Nigerian commentator Efan Ekoku also criticized, "Leaving the stadium just because I didn't like the decision left a bad picture for African soccer."

Coach Tiau, who is at the center of the controversy, said after winning, "I didn't agree with the referee's decision and responded emotionally," adding, "I apologize to the soccer community. It was something we should not have done," he said.

Mane also said, "It was crazy to do that in a game where the world was watching. "It almost became the worst scene of African football," he said. "It's better to lose than to give up the game. "It's fortunate that I got back to the game and won," he said.

In fact, some point out that this incident was a foreseen disaster. Ahead of the final, the Senegalese Football Association issued a statement saying, "We are concerned about the safety of the team," citing Morocco's poor security, lack of training sites, and ticket allocation issues.

Mane, who led the championship, was selected as the MVP of this tournament. The top scorer went to Díaz, who missed the penalty in the final.

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*This content was translated by AI.