Senegal abandoned 2025 AFCON final against hosts Morocco following a controversial penalty decision by the center-referee, MySportDab reports.
The Teranga Lions made the shocking move with the scoreline tied at 0-0 and just three minutes of added time left.
The unsavory incident emanated from a faint contact on with Brahima Diaz that led to the player plunging to the ground during a corner kick.
The center-referee missed the incident, but a fervent demonstration by the Real Madrid Star and protests by the hosts’ coaching crew led to VAR calls to review the challenge.
After VAR review, Morocco were awarded a penalty, but Senegal players and their coaching crew protested the decision and were seen walking down the tunnel on the order of their head coach.
This led to the match being temporarily halted before captain Sadio Mane called back his teammates into the field for the continuation of the game.
Brahim Diaz took the penalty and missed it, sending the match into extra time amidst jubilation by Senegal fans
At the time filing this report, Senegal have gone into the lead a few minutes into extra time. However, the controversial penalty incident and the reaction of Senegal players further cast a dark shadow on AFCON and further reawaken the conversation on officiating in the tournament
Notably, the incident was just one of the flashpoints in the heated clash between the two teams. Earlier in the second half, Senegal had a goal controversially chalked off for a debatable foul in the buildup.
Watch Video of the incident HERE as it unfolded
