A video shows Moroccan players, including Achraf Hakimi, and a ball boy trying to snatch Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy’s towel during the controversial AFCON final, which Senegal won 1-0.
In a shocking turn of events, footage has been released of a Moroccan player and ball boy attempting to pinch Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy’s towel during the controversial AFCON final.
Senegal won the African Championship in Rabat on Sunday amid chaotic scenes. After Crystal Palace’s Ismaila Sarr’s goal was controversially ruled out in extra time, referee Jean-Jacques N’Dala awarded Morocco a penalty after El Hadji Malick Diouf was adjudged to have fouled Brahim Dias.
This resulted in the Senegalese national team refusing to play and being sent off the pitch on the orders of coach Pape Tiao.
Liverpool legend Sadio Mane managed to get his team back on the field, before Mendy saved Panenka’s penalty following a misjudged attempt by Dias. The match went into extra time and Senegal’s Pape Gueye scored the winning goal, giving Teranga Lions a 1-0 victory.
Now, an astonishing video has surfaced online revealing some of Morocco’s dirty tactics.
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As rain fell in the Moroccan capital, Atlas Lions winger Ismael Saibari was caught on camera near the Senegal goal trying to dry Mendy’s towel with a towel he was using to dry his gloves. Senegal’s backup keeper Yehuvan Diouf was tasked with guarding Towel. It is usually left next to the goal post for the keeper to use if necessary.
Remarkable footage shows Saibari struggling to get the towel from Diouf, followed by four ball boys grabbing him and trying to grab the towel, with Diouf dodging the towel.
At one point, Diouf was seen sprawled out on the grass next to the goal as ball boys rushed onto the pitch to take him away, with Mendy appearing to be preparing to shoot. Diouf then waved off the pursuing ball boy and the intervening referee and handed the towel back to his teammates.
Moroccan Ball Boys fighting for a towel with Senegal’s reserve goalkeeper Yehuvan Diouf (Image: )
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Another footage showed Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi snatching another towel Mendy was using and throwing it at a billboard during a heated exchange between players and match officials.
Despite the Paris Saint-Germain full-back’s sly demeanor, Senegal’s El Hadji Malick Diouf was filmed seconds later jumping over the fence to retrieve a towel.
One furious supporter wrote to X: “Look at Hakimi, our CAF Player of the Year. I’m sorry for him, I told everyone, but the ball boy is instructed to take the goalkeeper’s towel. It’s planned. We knew there was no way these little boys could be so bold in an international tournament.”
Mendy’s towels that attracted attention in the rain (Image: )
Yevan Diouf played an active role, handing Mendy a towel and fighting off ball boys and Moroccan players (Image: )
Another fan commented, “But really, really, they are straight-up lunatics. This is completely insane! Shameful.” A third said: “Goalkeepers use gloves to keep the ball from slipping off when they get too wet. Goalkeepers use them a lot. That’s why they steal. So the ball might slip out of the keeper’s hands. Shame on you.”
One fan posted on social media: “The player they’re dragging, if I’m not mistaken, plays for Nice in France, top-flight goalkeeper Yevvan Diouf. A ball boy is dragging a professional player onto the floor. A ball boy?”
“What power do they have? Look at Saibari, a Champions League player. Brothers, this is nothing to be ashamed of.”
Another supporter agreed, saying, “Let’s give a big shout out to Yevvan Diouf, who played an active role throughout the game, handing the towel to Senegal’s backup goalkeeper Edouard Mendy and fighting off ball boys and Moroccan players.He is a real soldier.”
Yet another fan expressed disbelief, posting: “This is pure madness. An unbelievable scene where Moroccan player Ismael Saibari tries to steal Senegalese goalkeeper Mendy’s towel. Luckily, the Senegalese player was there and grabbed it!”
“They have tried everything and failed, but Senegal has prepared!!!”
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