Senegal’s head coach has spoken out about his antics after a dramatic end to the AFCON final, with Senegal players ordered off the pitch in protest of a late-game penalty.
Senegal coach Pape Thiau admits his reaction to second-half penalty was wrong (Image: )
Senegal coach Pape Thiau has admitted that Morocco coach Walid Leglaghi should not have ordered his players off the pitch during the controversial penalty award, insisting that their actions would not be “in the honor of Africa”.
The AFCON final descended into chaos in the closing stages as Senegalese players walked onto the pitch in protest after the hosts were awarded a stoppage time penalty. West Ham star El Hadji Malick Diouf was nailed for a foul on Brahim Dias, referee Jean-Jacques N’Dala was called for VAR and a spot-kick was awarded.
Senegal’s players and coaching staff, with the exception of Liverpool legend Sadio Mane, eventually left the pitch and returned to the tunnel in protest.
After a long delay, they finally returned after an incredible 17 minutes, but Morocco’s moment of glory passed as the Real Madrid star’s effort at Panenka was effortlessly saved by former Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. Senegal ended up winning in extra time, but it left them feeling a little disappointed.
Thiau, whose media conference was canceled due to issues in the press room, told BeIN Sports that his reaction was wrong. He said: “We didn’t agree, we didn’t want to know all the details of what happened.
read more: Gary Lineker details AFCON’s final riot after crowd trouble – ‘horribly violent’read more: AFCON final plunges into chaos as Senegalese player sent off after controversial penalty
“We apologize to the football community. After reflecting, we let them return (to the pitch). It’s okay to react in the heat of the moment. We accept the referee’s mistake. We shouldn’t have done it, but it’s over. Now we apologize to the football community.”
Thiau’s anger, particularly towards the referee, stemmed from the referee’s disallowance of a goal by Crystal Palace forward Ismaila Sarr, who scored from close range earlier in the match. Morocco coach Walid Leglaghi said Senegal’s actions were “disgraceful” considering they missed out on their first AFCON title since 1976.
Senegalese players left the pitch furious at the late penalty decision (Image: AP)
Senegal’s victory in extra time, courtesy of a goal from Pape Gueye, meant Mane clinched his second continental title after ousting Mohamed Salah and Egypt in the last four.
“Soccer is something special and the world was watching, so we have to give it a good image. I think it’s strange not to play this game just because the referee gave a penalty and we were sent off. I think that’s the worst thing, especially in African football. I’d rather lose than have something like this happen to our football.”
“I think it’s really bad. Football shouldn’t be stopped for 10 minutes, but what can we do? We have to accept what we did, but the good thing is we came back and played and what happened.”
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