‘Punish Senegal and replay AFCON 2025 final’ - CAF urged to take drastic action

Renowned ESPN football commentator Ian Darke has called for unprecedented disciplinary action against Senegal following the chaotic conclusion of the AFCON 2025 final.

Darke's extraordinary demand comes as the football world continues to reel from the "unacceptable scenes" in Rabat, where the Senegalese team staged a lengthy walk-off protest during second-half stoppage time.

Despite the 17-minute disruption, Senegal went on to win the match in extra time, a result Darke believes should not stand.

Writing on social media and speaking during post-match analysis, Darke argued that allowing a team to walk off the pitch and still be crowned champions sets a dangerous precedent for the sport.

“I admire Senegal as a very fine football team but you can’t walk off the pitch, delay the game 17 mins, and be declared AFCON champions," Darke stated. "There has to be a huge punishment for such anarchy. The game should either be replayed at a future date or Morocco be declared 3-0 winners.”

Darke’s stance echoes the frustrations of FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who also condemned the "ugly scenes" witnessed during the final. While replaying a completed final is almost unheard of in major tournament football, proponents of the move argue that the integrity of the African game is at stake.

Morocco manager Walid Regragui suggested the 17-minute delay played a psychological role in Brahim Díaz’s subsequent penalty miss, noting the player was "disturbed" by the long wait.

Commentators argue that if CAF does not act decisively, future teams may use walk-offs as a tactical tool to break an opponent's momentum.

CAF has already confirmed it is reviewing footage of the incident. While a replay remains a "nuclear option" that is unlikely to be triggered, the governing body is under immense pressure to impose severe sanctions. These could include:

Heavy Fines: Financial penalties for the Senegalese Football Federation.

Coach Bans: A lengthy suspension for Senegal's manager, Pape Thiaw, for leading the walk-off.

Player Suspensions: Bans for key players involved in the confrontation with officials.

As the debate rages, the victory for the Teranga Lions remains clouded by controversy, with many echoing Darke's sentiment that "the very essence of football" was put at risk in Rabat.