Asked players to leave the field, the coach risks being expelled from the World Cup
Pape Thiaw, the coach of the Senegal national team, could face expulsion from the World Cup after the chaotic scenes that accompanied his team's victory at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Senegal declared themselves African champions after an extra-time goal from Pape Gueye gave the team a 1-0 victory over Morocco. However, the situation deteriorated in the final minutes of regulation time when Thiaw ordered his players off the field after Congolese referee Jean Jacques Ndala awarded Morocco a penalty for a suspected foul by El Hadji Malick Diouf on Brahim Diaz.
Senegal were already angry after an apparent Ismaila Sarr goal was disallowed earlier by the referee. When Ndala awarded Morocco a penalty, coach Thiaw, in an act of protest, ordered the players to leave the field. However, Liverpool star Sadio Mane refused to leave and remained on the field.
In a bizarre development, Diaz converted the penalty with a Panenka, which was easily saved by Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy before Gueye scored the winning goal for Senegal in the opening minutes of extra time.
The incident sparked chaos in the stadium stands, with Senegalese fans throwing objects onto the pitch. After the match, Thiaw apologised in a television interview, but his press conference was cancelled after a scuffle in the media room.
Gianni Infantino, the FIFA president, condemned the “unacceptable scenes” and demanded that CAF’s disciplinary bodies take appropriate measures. “The shameful scenes we saw must never be repeated,” Infantino said, demanding that the competent bodies take action against those responsible.
The incident could have serious consequences for Thiaw, who could face a match ban and a hefty fine. He could face a full ban from football, although the sanctions could only be implemented after the World Cup, as Senegal will not play competitive matches again until the summer of 2026.
In addition to Thiaw, several of the players could face fines, although a match ban remains a possibility. CAF said it was reviewing all footage of the incident and would refer the matter to the relevant authorities to take action against those found guilty.
Senegal will face France, Norway, and a playoff team – Iraq, Bolivia, or Suriname – in Group I of the 2026 World Cup.
