CAF may strip Senegal of AFCON title

CAF may strip Senegal of AFCON title

Senegal could be at risk of disqualification from the Africa Cup of Nations after breaching a competition rule during their dramatic final victory over hosts Morocco. 

Pape Gueye's stunning goal in extra time saw the Lions of Teranga achieve continental glory for the second time in four years. However, the final was marred by extraordinary scenes that unfolded in the closing stages of normal time.

Morocco were awarded a controversial penalty in the dying seconds of the game, leading to widespread fury among the Senegal players. What followed were farcical scenes as manager Pape Thiaw ordered his team to leave the field of play in protest against the decision. The match was delayed for almost 20 minutes before Sadio Mane ran into the dressing room and convinced his team-mates to return.

Morocco forward Brahim Diaz eventually stepped up to take the crucial spot-kick but missed terribly, with his attempted chip landing straight in the gloves of Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.

The botched effort proved costly for Morocco, who were pegged back in extra time when Gueye found the top corner with a brilliant strike. It turned out to be the winning goal, but there is a chance that Senegal could still be stripped of the title.

According to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) rulebook, teams who leave the field of play of their own accord risk being disqualified from the tournament.

Article 64 states that if a team "refuses to play or leaves the ground before the regular end of the match without the authorisation of the referee, it shall be considered looser and shall be eliminated for good from the current competition."