[Récap] Sénégal-Maroc : Dix jours de séisme, un trophée sauvé et une facture salée
The verdict came down like a guillotine on Wednesday evening. Ten days after the most electrifying final in the history of the Africa Cup of Nations, the Disciplinary Committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) delivered its ruling. The coach of the Lions of Teranga, Pape Thiaw, received a five-match suspension and an individual fine of $100,000 (approximately 60 million CFA francs). This harsh blow brings to a close two weeks of rare intensity, during which sport nearly descended into a diplomatic crisis.
A final on the verge of implosion
Everything changed in the 89th minute of the Senegal-Morocco match at the Moulay Abdellah complex in Rabat. With the score at 0-0, the referee, after consulting VAR, awarded a penalty to the Atlas Lions. This sparked the controversy: on the instructions of Pape Thiaw, the Senegalese players left the pitch in protest, causing a stoppage of play lasting several minutes and a near pitch invasion by furious fans.
Although Brahim Diaz ultimately missed the penalty and Senegal eventually won in extra time thanks to a late winner from Pape Gueye (1-0), the damage was done. The CAF condemned the "unsportsmanlike conduct" and the "damage to the image of football." In addition to the coach, forwards Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaïla Sarr were suspended for two matches. The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) will have to pay a hefty fine of $615,000, or approximately 370 million CFA francs, for the behavior of its players and fans.
Zurich's lightning strike and the CAF's condemnation
The day after the match, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who was in the stands, minced no words, calling the scenes "totally unacceptable for world football." For its part, the CAF, in a scathing statement, immediately launched an investigation, denouncing a breach of the fair play agreement that binds African nations.
This incident sparked two weeks of media turmoil. On social media, a veritable "influencer war" erupted between Dakar and Casablanca, with each side accusing the other of referee corruption or disrespect. Tensions escalated further with the pre-trial detention of 18 Senegalese supporters in Rabat, accused of hooliganism.
The Wise Men's Call for Calm
Faced with the escalating tensions, political and religious authorities stepped in to quell the unrest. On an official visit to Morocco for the Joint High Commission, Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko sought to downplay the situation: “The incidents during the final cannot be considered a rift between the two countries. These are isolated excesses linked to emotion. The strength of our relations lies in our ability to prevent emotion from dictating the course of history.”
In the same spirit of fraternity, King Mohammed VI "brought an end" to the discord with a solemn message: "Inter-African fraternity must naturally prevail. Let us not give in to resentment or discord. This organizational success belongs to the entire continent."
The spiritual aspect was not neglected. The Sheikh of the Tijaniyya, a major moral authority linking the two peoples, urged the faithful to exercise restraint: "Sport must be a bridge of peace, not a wall of division. Preserve the bonds of blood and faith that have united Senegal and Morocco for centuries."
Senegal champions, Morocco sanctioned
The financial toll is heavy for Dakar (nearly 430 million CFA francs in total, including the coach's fine), but Senegal retains the most important thing: its trophy. Morocco's protest, which sought the Lions' disqualification for abandoning the pitch, was rejected by CAF.
Morocco, for its part, did not emerge unscathed from this disciplinary hearing. The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) was fined $315,000 (approximately 190 million CFA francs) for the behavior of its ball boys and the invasion of the VAR zone by its staff. On the sporting front, key players such as Achraf Hakimi and Ismaël Saibari will also miss upcoming official matches.
In short, while the FSF's finances have been severely depleted, Senegal retains its crown. This outcome finally allows for some breathing room and temporarily closes the chapter on a turbulent period.
Commentaires (21)
https://c.org/hNtfFCLfvk
Signez et partagez la pétition pour maintenir une CAN tous les 2 ans, C'est trés important!!!!
Nous ne pouvons pas accepter le diktat de Infantino.
https://c.org/hNtfFCLfvk
En attendant, j’attends de voir la CAF, elle-même, s’auto-sanctionner car elle a été tout sauf exemplaire. Je l’accuserais même, s’il le fallait, de complicité de tricherie flagrante.
Je me marre. Tout le monde veut faire comme si pareille chose ne ‘s’était jamais produit dans le monde du foot. Parce que cela se passe en Afrique, on nous emmerde encore pour mieux nous mépriser ?
Pour les plus jeunes, il s’est passé pire en coupe du monde 1982. Un cheikh koweitien était carrément descendu des tribunes pour arrêter le match et faire annuler un but de la France contre son petit pays. Non seulement personne ne l’a embêté, mais en prime il a obtenu ce qu’il voulait. Sanction ? Que dalle ! Au contraire, un cordon sécuritaire était même dressé autour de lui. Quand je vois Infantino qui s’en mêle, je trouve ça fort de café.
Même pas 1 franc pour lui.....
Des garages de mécaniciens y opèrent illégalement et servent de couverture à des activités criminelles et antisociales : trafic et consommation de drogue, prostitution nocturne, mendicité organisée, tapage permanent, et stationnement anarchique de taxis dans une zone strictement résidentielle.
Malgré une plainte déposée auprès de la DESCOS et de la mairie de Yoff, aucune action concrète n’a été engagée, laissant perdurer une situation qui constitue une menace directe pour la sécurité des habitants, des élèves et des familles.
Nous demandons donc une intervention immédiate des services compétents afin de procéder au démantèlement de ces installations illégales et au rétablissement de l’ordre public.
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