AFCON CUP; Morocco: Sunday 21st Dec 2025 to 18th Jan Sunday 2026

[Hope.in.your.heart]

@The-AllMightyReds

Senegal rightfully stood up in the face of corruption and have since been punished for that act, the officials did everything they could to ensure Morocco won. It was disgusting. The CAF can double down and dictate what they want but the footballing world saw what happened that day.

@wyld.at.hrt

Guys, come on. Read into something before making judgements. Senegal walked off the pitch during the final because a penalty was awarded against them. That was a shocking dereliction instigated by their Head Coach who ought to have every license stripped from him for life. That was a complete shambles and Senegal deserve every sanction.

Two very different takes on the issue. @wyld.at.hrt , my question was genuine, I had no idea of all this, but find it interesting retrospectively. According to you both, was the penalty correctly awarded by the ref?

[wyld.at.hrt]

@Hope.in.your.heart

According to you both, was the penalty correctly awarded by the ref?

It was. However regardless of whether it was or wasn’t, the reaction of Senegal was simply beyond the pale. Anyone sitting behind their keyboard thinking this was a justified reaction and this is a ‘stand’ against corruption isn’t living in the real world. There are far bigger systemic issues in CAF, FIFA, UEFA or whoever but on this occasion, that idiot of a coach and the dumbass players who walked off are the real morons.

[Limiescouse]

I am surprised to see people say the penalty was reasonably awarded. I thought the reaction at the time was pretty much universally in agreement that it was an awful decision and terrible piece of play acting. But that in no way excuses the actions of Senegal.

However, you would struggle to shake me from my conspiracy that the game only restarted because Morocco agreed to miss the penalty. Not only was it a pathetic attempt, but check out the complete lack of celebration from the Senegal players. You have never seen a saved penalty been treated as such a ho hum occurrence, let alone with such incredibly high stakes associated with it.

[koptician]

@Limiescouse

However, you would struggle to shake me from my conspiracy that the game only restarted because Morocco agreed to miss the penalty. Not only was it a pathetic attempt, but check out the complete lack of celebration from the Senegal players. You have never seen a saved penalty been treated as such a ho hum occurrence, let alone with such incredibly high stakes associated with it.

I’m with you. He missed that on purpose, after a plan. I think if that’s not agreed upon, then Senegal forefeits the match.

[mattyhurst]

Nah I think they were just annoyed that VAR made another decision.

It was compounded by the obvious goal being chalked out about 5 minutes earlier at the other end.

[dalglish]

Stripping a title well after the fact? What’s next Arsenal missing out because of LegoMan and Man City losing titles because of Pep’s nose habits?

Sounds good to me.

[mattyhurst]

Not saying the decision at this point is good, it’s a bloody awful decision but I really have little sympathy for Senegal bar Mane who acted like a grownup.