In honor of Senegal’s victory in the Africa Cup of Nations, Senegal’s president Bassirou Diomaye Faye has authorized Monday to be a paid public holiday throughout the nation.
The Senegalese national football team’s victory in the AFCON 2025 final, which took place on Sunday, January 18, 2026, in Rabat, followed the team’s victory over Morocco.
The public sector workers were given fully paid salaries by the head of state to allow the country to celebrate the victory.
In a match marred by controversy, protracted stops, and players briefly leaving the pitch, Senegal won the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final in Rabat on Sunday night after leading Morocco 1-0 after extra time.
Also, FINA and CAF Condemn ‘Unacceptable Scenes’ In AFCON Final To Take Proper Action
Late in regulation time, a contentious penalty decision awarded to Morocco following a VAR review caused protests from Senegal players.
Senegal players surrounded the referee, which caused chaos as the penalty was given well into stoppage time, and the game was stopped for a while.
‘Unacceptable Scene ‘
The “unacceptable scenes” that ruined Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations final in Rabat have been condemned by FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF). CAF has pledged to take “appropriate action” against those found guilty.
With the score at 0-0, Morocco and Senegal were unable to win the AFCON final until late in the afternoon when referee Jean Jacques Mdala gave Morocco a penalty following a VAR review of a challenge on Brahim Diaz.
Most Senegalese players walked out of the stands in protest, and Moroccan security personnel and some Senegalese fans were involved in altercations.
In a statement released on Monday, CAF expressed regret for some players and officials while skipping to blame either team.
The organization stated that it is reviewing all the available footage and will take the matter to its disciplinary bodies.
The statement from the CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 Final between Morocco and Senegal read, “The Confederation Africaine de Football (CAF) condemns the unacceptable behavior of some players and officials in Rabat last night.”
The CAF firmly condemns any improper behavior that occurs during matches, particularly those that targets the refereeing team or the organizers.
FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) have condemned the “unacceptable scenes” that ruined Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations final in Rabat, with CAF promising to take “appropriate action” against those found guilty.
With the score at 0-0, Morocco and Senegal were unable to win the AFCON final until late in the afternoon when referee Jean Jacques Mdala gave Morocco a penalty following a VAR review of a challenge on Brahim Diaz.  ,
Most Senegalese players walked out of the stands in protest, and Moroccan security personnel and some Senegalese fans were involved in altercations.
READ MORE: AFCON: Senegal Learned From Nigeria vs. Morocco Match, Came Prepared — Dikko
On January 18, 2026, Senegal and Morocco’s defense #18 Jawad El Yamiq and Senegal’s defense #14 Ismail Jakobs and Senegal’s midfielder #26 Pape Gueye square off during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) final football game at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. (Photo by Abdel Majid BZIOUAT/AFP)
In a statement released on Monday, CAF expressed regret for some players’ and officials’ behavior but shied away from blaming either team.  ,
The organization stated that it is reviewing all the available footage and will take the matter to its disciplinary bodies.
The continent’s governing body, the CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 Final between Morocco and Senegal, condemned the unacceptable behavior of some players and officials last night in Rabat.
“CAF firmly condemns any inappropriate behavior that occurs during matches, particularly those that targets the refereeing team or the organizers of matches.
CAF will review all footage and notify competent authorities to take appropriate legal action against those found guilty.
On January 18, 2026, Senegal’s #26 Pape Gueye celebrates scoring the team’s first goal at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) final game between Senegal and Morocco. (Photo by Abdel Majid BZIOUAT/AFP)
After being stopped by former Liverpool player Sadio Mane, one of the few who had initially stayed on the field, the Senegal players later made their way back to the field.  ,
The 66, 526 fans at Rabat’s Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium were stunned by Pape Gueye’s brilliant goal in extra time, which Senegal then won.
“Set the right example”
On January 18, 2026, Senegal supporters clash at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium’s Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) final football game between Morocco and Senegal. Gianni Infantino and Paul ELLIS, president of FIFA, are photographed.
Gianni Infantino, the president of FIFA, also criticized the incident and described the scene as unacceptable. He criticized the supporters’ altercation and the pitch’s decision to leave.
We firmly condemn the actions of some “supporters,” Senegalese players, and technical staff members. In a statement sent to AFP, Infantino said, “It is unacceptable to leave the field of play in this manner.”
“Violence cannot be tolerated in our sport; it is simply wrong,” he said, and it is unacceptable to leave the field of play in this way.
Infantino praised Morocco on their performance as “excellent hosts” and runners-up, which is a boost given their commitment to hosting the men’s 2030 World Cup, and said the teams must adhere to the match officials’ decisions.
(COMBO) This set of images shows Morocco’s #10 Brahim Diaz and Senegal’s #10 Sadio Mane on January 14, 2026 (L) during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) in Rabat on January 9, 2026. (Photo by Gabriel BOUYS and Abdel Majid BZIOUAT)
He said, “We must always adhere to the decisions made by the match officials both on and off the field of play.”
Anything less threatens the very essence of football, according to the saying “teams must compete on the pitch and within the Laws of the Game.”
Infantino said images like those from Sunday sent the wrong message to supporters all over the world, despite the fact that he will be hoping there won’t be any of these scenes in the upcoming World Cup finals being co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
He added that “it is also the responsibility of teams and players to act responsibly and set the right example for fans in the stadiums and millions of people watching around the world,” he added.
The “ugly scenes” of our time must be condemned and never repeated. They have no place in football, and I reaffirmed that I believe the appropriate actions will be taken by the relevant CAF disciplinary bodies.
“Heat of the moment,” p.
On January 14, 2026, Senegal’s head coach Pape Thiaw reacts during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) semi-final football game between Egypt and Senegal at the Grand Stadium in Tangiers. (Sebastien Bozon/AFP photo)
Senegal coach Pape Thiaw admitted to beIN Sports that he made a mistake by directing the players to leave.
I realized after thinking about it that I shouldn’t have commanded them to leave. I’m sorry, Thiaw said.
Sometimes you can react while the situation is heated up. a goal that was not given was before we scored. However, we now acknowledge that referees do errors and offer our sincere apologies.
However, Morocco’s coach, Walid Regragui, was concerned about the global harm the chaotic final had done to African football.
We created an image of African football that was rather repulsive. Regragui remarked that it is not very classy to have to play the game for more than ten minutes while the world is watching.
Shehu Dikko, the head of the national team for Senegal, described the nation’s preparations for Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations final as “well-prepared” for the match between Nigeria and Morocco.  ,
Dikko asserted in an interview with The Morning Brief on Monday that Senegal’s preparation was fueled by the contentious officiating in the final game between the Super Eagles and Morocco.
“Senegal benefited from what occurred in Nigeria, probably during the most recent game. The officiating was not done as intended. Senegal arrived prepared because all the second balls went to Morocco, and everyone felt a little off.
Senegal won the 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) match against Morocco on Sunday with a 1-0 extra point lead.
At the conclusion of the match, Pape Gueye’s goal gave them a 1-0 victory over Morocco’s host.
The sport commissioner criticized Senegal’s performance, saying “the rules are rules, they brought the game to disrepute, and I’m sure they’ll hear from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) for what they did.”
The referee’s decision is not supposed to be challenged, and football is not played that way.
However, he did point out that “African football has taken a hit” because, at the end of the day, it was a very brilliant competition.
Despite all the investment, the excellent facilities, and organization, this incident in the final might define this competition.
The only matches that were having issues were the ones that involved the host nation, he continued, “perhaps as a result of the pressure from the fans,” he continued.
READ MORE: Senegal Unable To Retake Second AFCON Title After Extra Time To Stun Morocco
What transpired was reportedly disastrous for African football, he claims.
At the end of the day, I hope something will be done anyway. However, the host should take lessons from that, and the referee should also understand that doing so is not just because you are working against the host.
Gianni Infantino, the president of FIFA, criticized “some Senegal players” for the “unacceptable scenes” that hampered their elimination from Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations final when they walked off the pitch in protest of a penalty awarded to Morocco.
“We firmly condemn the actions of some “supporters,” Senegalese players, and technical staff members. In a statement sent to AFP, Infantino remarked, “It is unacceptable to leave the field of play in this manner.”
“Violence cannot be tolerated in our sport in this manner, and it is simply wrong,” the statement reads.
Read more about Senegal’s slam of Morocco for its second AFCON title.
On January 18, 2026, Senegal supporters clash at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) final football game between Morocco and Senegal. (Photo by Paul ELLIS/AFP)
Most Senegalese players left the field of play shortly before the match was even 0-0, and Morocco were given a spot kick following a VAR check for a challenge on Brahim Diaz.
Sadio Mane, a former Senegal international star, pleaded with his teammates to return to the field for the penalty while he was still present.
They already grew out after a soft-looking foul minutes earlier was turned down for a goal at the other end.
Meanwhile, some Senegalese fans attempted to enter the arena and started fighting with security personnel as they did so.
Before Diaz could convert, the game was delayed by almost 20 minutes, when Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy saved his weak “panenka” kick.
In the fourth minute of extra time, Pape Gueye scored a brilliant goal to give his team a 1-0 victory.
(COMBO) This set of images shows Morocco’s #10 Brahim Diaz and Senegal’s #10 Sadio Mane on January 14, 2026 (L) during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) in Rabat on January 9, 2026. (Photo by Gabriel BOUYS and Abdel Majid BZIOUAT)
While praising Morocco for its “fantastic tournament, both as runners-up and exceptional hosts,” Infantino said that the teams must adhere to the match officials’ directives ahead of their co-hosting the men’s 2030 World Cup.
He urged players to always adhere to the match officials’ decisions, both on and off the field of play.
Anything less threatens the very essence of football, according to the Laws of the Game. “Teams must compete on the pitch and within the laws of the game.”
Infantino said images like those from Sunday sent the wrong message to supporters all over the world, despite the fact that he will be hoping there won’t be any of these scenes in the upcoming World Cup finals being co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
According to him, “It is also the responsibility of teams and players to act ethically and set the right example for the fans in the stadiums and millions of viewers around the world.”
Senegal, the 2025 African Cup of Nations champion, has a fact file (aet denotes after extra time):
Path to glory: Group D – Botswana 3-0, Democratic Republic of Congo 1-1, Benin 3-0, Last 16 – Sudan 3-1, Quarter-final – Mali 1-0, Semi-final – Egypt 1-0, Final – Morocco 1-0 aet
Scorers: 3 – Pape Gueye; 2 – Nicolas Jackson; Sadio Mane; Cherif Ndiaye; 1 – Habib Diallo; Mbaye; Iliman Ndiaye; and Abdoulaye Seck
Read more about Senegal’s victory over Morocco in extra time.
Idrissa Gueye, a midfielder, is the captain. (First-choice Kalidou Koulibaly suspended)
In a game marred by ugly incidents following a controversial penalty award, Senegal triumphed 1-0 in extra-time against Morocco in the Africa Cup of Nations final on Sunday.
After Morocco received a spot-kick in injury time at the end of regular time, several Senegal players walked out in disgrace and brats broke out among their supporters.
After a nearly 20-minute delay, the game resumed with Brahim Diaz’s penalty saved, allowing Gueye to score before Senegal held on to clinch the continent’s second-place finish.
