Senegal beat Morocco to win the Africa Cup of Nations for a second time - but only after the final was overshadowed when they temporarily refused to play after the hosts were awarded a stoppage-time penalty with the match goalless.
Referee Jean Jacques Ndala gave the spot-kick in the 98th minute after being advised by the video assistant referee (VAR) to consult the pitchside monitor and review defender El Hadji Malick Diouf's challenge on Brahim Diaz.
Amid sensational scenes, head coach Pape Thiaw, still incensed by Ndala's decision moments earlier to disallow a Senegal goal, ushered his team off the field.
Following a delay of around 17 minutes, the players did eventually return. Real Madrid forward Diaz, the tournament's top scorer with five goals, was trusted with the penalty, but his tame 'Panenka' effort was caught by Senegal keeper Edouard Mendy who barely had to move, and Ndala immediately blew his whistle for full-time.
In his post-match news conference, Morocco coach Walid Regragui said Senegal's actions were shameful and do not honour Africa. Fifa president Gianni Infantino strongly condemned the ugly scenes in a post on Instagram.
At the end of the match, Thiaw accepted that he should not have ordered his team off the field, reflecting on the heat of the moment and acknowledging the errors of the referee. This reflection came after Senegal's complaints leading up to the final regarding inadequate security and various logistical issues, further escalating tensions surrounding the game.
The majority of the focus remains on the incident before the final penalty, as it calls into question the integrity of officiating in the tournament and how such conduct impacts the perception of African football on a global scale.
