The Moroccan Federation cannot digest its defeat in the final of the African Cup of Nations. Beaten by Senegal after a match worthy of a film, the Atlas Lions particularly criticize the Senegalese for leaving the field a few moments after a penalty was awarded to the Moroccans. A truly ludicrous situation which lasted several minutes, before Brahim Diaz completely missed his panenka against Édouard Mendy.
In a press release published this Monday, Morocco announced that it would file an appeal with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and Fifa to “rule on the withdrawal of the Senegalese national team from the field during the final against the Moroccan national team, as well as on the events which accompanied this decision, following the announcement by the referee of a penalty unanimously deemed correct by specialists”.
However, the result of the final should not change
“This situation had a significant impact on the normal progress of the meeting and on the performance of the players”, estimates the Moroccan Federation, which nevertheless took advantage of this press release to thank “the entire Moroccan public” and “all the people who contributed to the success of this continental competition”.
Despite this appeal, the result of the final should not change, the match having resumed and the score having been approved. The IFAB Laws of the Game, however, provide that “deliberately leaving the technical area to indicate disapproval or complain to a referee/acting in a provocative or offensive manner” is punishable by exclusion. However, this was not the case.
Sanctions could still occur in the coming weeks, as requested by FIFA President Gianni Infantino. “Teams must play within the Laws of the Game, as any other behavior jeopardizes the very essence of football,” he said.
