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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.

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.

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):

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.

At Rabat’s 69, 000-capacity Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, two teams will compete for the ultimate prize for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, which began with 24 teams.

When Morocco and Senegal square off in tonight’s final, former champions Morocco and Senegal will be aiming to win a second AFCON title, with football fans from all over the world anticipating a thrilling battle for the prize.

It has been 50 years since hosts Morocco last won the trophy, setting the stage for a grueling battle as both teams vie for a second continental crown despite Senegal winning their only AFCON title in Cameroon in 2021.

The Senegalese vs. Morocco AFCON 2025 final is available on Channels Television. Refresh this page to get a detailed account of this highly anticipated encounter.

Senegal 0: 0 Morocco 0: 0 Half-time

Senegal were more dangerous than Morocco, with Bounou making two incredible saves to keep Morocco in the game despite both teams having three shots each.

Bounou comes to the rescue at the age of 38! The keeper blocks with his right shin to force a corner, but Nyiaye breaks free on the right and fires at the far post. Morocco eliminates the threat.

A 33-foot Ezzalzouli kicks the box, but it sails over.
He kicks the Senegalese goal with an excessive amount of height and curl on it before it drifts past the back post.

Mazraoui is lowered 31 feet! The Manchester United defender is obviously hurt when Ndiaye’s late challenge knocks him to the ground.
On the left flank, Morocco scores a free kick.

After a late sliding tackle on El Aynaoui, Camara receives the match’s first yellow, leaving Moroccan players and fans furious.

The effort of 14′ Saibari is flashy far from the intended target. Sabari launches a fierce shot into the left of the near post before flying in valiantly. Morocco still wins 0 to 0 in Senegal.

Morocco attacks 9′! The box is begged when Ezzalzouli lands a squared ball inside.

Senegal’s 6’10” secures the match’s opening corner. It is delivered to the back post using a left-handed approach.

Papa Gueye attempts to direct his header across goal, but Bounou manages to get a right-side corner.

20: 20&nbsp, Kick Off

Venus Williams, the oldest woman to play at the Australian Open on Sunday, admitted she was proud of herself despite facing the first obstacle.

Also available:   Venus Williams Still Feeling The Fire Ahead Of The Australian Open Record

Five years after her last major appearance, the 45-year-old American, who has seven Grand Slams, was given a wildcard for Melbourne.

It attracted some criticism because it stifled a younger player, which was made worse by Williams’ first-round defeats at both of her warm-up matches.

The 24-year-old Serbian Olga Danilovic pushed her all the way before losing her final six games to fall apart 6-7 (5 / 7), 6-3, 6-4 in a grueling two hours and 17 minutes.

“It was a fantastic game and moment,” he continued. The crowd had a fantastic time. That really made me feel so much,” Williams said.

She had a fantastic game. Also, a little luck there, too. Simply put, that sport. Sometimes that’s how things work.

She continued, “I’m really proud of my effort today because I’m getting better with each match and getting there,” she continued.

She continued, “I’m just going to have to keep going forward and working on myself and trying to control my errors.”

The former world number one, who is now ranked 578, made a promising start by breaking Danilovic’s first service game after receiving a standing ovation.

However, the Serb quickly retaliated, helping her level the set with a clever net cord.

As the set progressed to a tiebreak, Williams sent down powerful serves and showed no signs of stalling as the game moved to a tiebreak, where she fell 2-0 behind before rallying to win it with a convincing forehand winner.

Williams had no luck in getting an early break in the second set, which gave Danilovic a 4-0 lead in the final set.

But she lost her way, allowing Danilovic to win the crucial 14-and-a-half-minute ninth game, which ended up being crucial.

Williams scored six game points but were unable to convert, and the Serb won the game with a win over her second break point.

Not simple, Danilovic remarked. There were a lot of nerves there. I recently said to myself, “OK, just play, just take everything out, and just play point by point.”

“I’m very happy I got this one, but it was so enjoyable playing such a legend,” I said.

Williams, who first appeared at Melbourne Park in 1998, hasn’t played much in recent years.

She won the doubles title four times, along with sister Serena, and was a five-time champion at Wimbledon. She also won the title four times at the Australian Open in 2003 and 2017.

Kimiko Date, 44, was the oldest woman to compete in singles at the Australian Open before losing in the first round in 2015.

After a strong performance at the AFCON tournament in Morocco, which ended with a bronze medal finish, Super Eagles forward Akor Adams praised the spirit and cohesion among the Nigerian team.

Adams believes the squad’s success in the competition highlights the level of the squad, which they recorded, recording five victories before eventually falling to the hosts on penalties in the semi-finals.

The best is us. The best team is ours. We were seeking the gold, but we did not receive it. We are proud of what we did. We have a very strong group. ”

Also read: FG Hails Super Eagles On AFCON Bronze: ‘You Inspired Millions,’

After beating Egypt 4-2 on penalties on Saturday, Adams said in a post-match interview that everyone is coming home with a better friendship with the next player and as a better person.

The striker praised head coach Eric Chelle for creating a unified and disciplined organization in a short period of time.

Eric Chelle has done a lot for us as a group in the last three weeks, and we are all grateful for that. He made us a better version of ourselves.

He has given me the chance to represent my beloved Nigeria. ”

The forward’s personal difficulties were also brought on by his mother’s illness during the tournament.

Adams praised the support his family received despite describing the time as emotionally demanding.

Things will happen in between, just like there is in every other tournament, and there are family issues.

I appreciate that it wasn’t anything obstructive or out of control. The CAF medical team cared for her, and I’m also appreciative of that. She is now much better, and I’m happy to have shared this experience. ”

Adams acknowledged that the bronze medal still evoked conflicting emotions despite the team’s pride in their accomplishments.

The most crucial thing is that we won, he said, adding that celebrations would be modest.

Some people left with nothing and then returned. We’ll just try to eat first, then return to the hotel, and see what happens next. ”

The Super Eagles’ debut major international tournament for the Sevilla forward is still largely positive, according to the Sevilla forward.

For me, everything is positive. My first time doing it. It’s positive because there is nothing to contrast it with, he said.

He also spoke about incidents involving fan behavior during the tournament, citing the need for respect and sportsmanship in all forms of football.