AFCON Final Descends into Chaos as Sadio Mané's Furious Senegal Teammates Leave Field in Protest

The AFCON 2025 final between Senegal and Morocco erupted into controversy during a tense match, as Senegal's players dramatically walked off the pitch in protest over a disputed referee decision.[1][2][3]

With the game hanging in the balance, the referee awarded Morocco a penalty kick, sparking outrage among the Senegal squad. Furious at what they perceived as a major officiating error, the players immediately left the field en masse, leaving the stadium in stunned silence.[1][3] Reports confirm this came after a pivotal moment that could have shifted the momentum in the high-stakes showdown for Africa's premier football trophy.[2]

Senegal captain and veteran star Sadio Mané emerged as the voice of reason amid the chaos. While accounts vary slightly on his exact role, it's clear Mané played a crucial mediating part. Some sources state he was the one who first instructed his teammates to abandon the pitch in unified protest against the referee.[1] Others describe how, staying on the field himself, he urged the departing players to return, even venturing back into the tunnel to persuade them.[2][3] His efforts ultimately succeeded, with the Senegal team returning to resume play after tense negotiations.[2]

The incident highlighted the razor-thin margins in the final, where Senegal—featuring Mané alongside Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gana Guèye—aimed for their second AFCON title following their 2021 triumph.[4] Morocco, hosting strong hopes of a first crown, capitalized on the drama. No further details on the final score emerged immediately, but the walk-off underscored refereeing pressures in Africa's biggest tournament.[1][3]

This dramatic episode has ignited debates on VAR implementation and officiating standards at AFCON, with fans and pundits divided on the penalty's legitimacy. Senegal's resilience, led by Mané's leadership, kept their title dreams alive despite the disruption.[2][4]

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