The organisers of the Africa Cup of Nations have condemned the “unacceptable behaviour” of some players and officials during Sunday’s chaotic final where Senegal defeated Morocco 1-0.
At one point late on in the match, Senegalese fans tried to storm the pitch and Senegal players walked off in protest at the hosts being awarded a penalty in Rabat.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) said it was “reviewing all footage” and would refer the matter to “competent bodies” for “appropriate action” to be taken against those found guilty.
How controversy unfolded in final
FIFA boss Gianni Infantino hit out at the “unacceptable scenes on the field and in the stands” as he criticised the behaviour of some “supporters” as well as Senegal players and staff.
He said: “It is unacceptable to leave the field of play in this manner, and equally, violence cannot be tolerated in our sport, it is simply not right. We must always respect the decisions taken by the match officials on and off the field of play.”
The “ugly scenes… must be condemned and never repeated”.
Spain train crash latest: Nearly 40 dead in country’s worst rail disaster since 2013 as trains collide at 130mph
What we know so far about the fatal train crash in Spain
The misunderstanding that may have triggered Trump’s latest Greenland threat
With the match goalless, dramatic scenes unfolded deep into stoppage time in the second half when Senegal players, led by their coach Pape Thiaw, stormed off the pitch in protest at their opponents being awarded a penalty in the 98th minute.
They had also been angered by a disallowed goal for Senegal minutes earlier at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
Senegal ultimately defeated hosts Morocco by a single goal to secure their second title thanks to an extra-time winner from Pape Gueye.
Substitute Ismaila Sarr thought he had won it for Senegal until Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala ruled out his header for a foul by Abdoulaye Seck on Achraf Hakimi.
And the drama continued into the last minute of the scheduled eight minutes of added time when Morocco were awarded a penalty.
It came after the referee checked replays when Brahim Diaz was pulled down by Senegal defender El Hadji Malick Diouf.
The referee pointed to the spot, prompting a furious Thiaw to send most of his players to the dressing room.
The decision to award the penalty had also led to fights between some of the Moroccan substitutes and their opposing players with Morocco coach Walid Regragui also involved, possibly in a bid to calm the situation.
Anger spilled over among the Senegalese fans, with some trying to storm the pitch from behind one of the goals.
The Senegalese players walked off, returning to the field 14 minutes later after being coaxed back by Sadio Mane.
Diaz’s effort from the spot was saved by Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy after the ball was lobbed straight into his arms with the last kick of normal time.
Gueye then scored the winning goal in the fourth minute of extra time when he swept the ball into the top right corner with his left foot.
“We really wanted to win here,” he said. “It was a very difficult match but we gave everything.”
Be the first to get Breaking News
Install the Sky News app for free
Read more from Sky News:
Chinese super-embassy sends ‘certain message’, US Speaker says
What may have triggered Trump’s latest Greenland threat
Morocco coach Walid Regragui said: “We are really disappointed for all the Moroccan people.
“When you get a penalty in the last minute, you can see victory very close, but in the end football catches up with you.
“We congratulate Senegal, even if what we showed of African football was disappointing, given everything that happened when the penalty was awarded.”
