Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations final was halted for nearly 20 minutes late in regulation time after a controversial penalty decision sparked angry protests from Senegal players and clashes in the stands.
Tensions erupted at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium when Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala awarded Morocco a last-gasp penalty following a prolonged VAR review for a challenge on Brahim Diaz by Senegal defender El Hadji Malick Diouf. The decision infuriated the Senegalese camp, with most of their players walking off the pitch in protest.
The unrest spread to the stands, where frustrated Senegal supporters hurled objects and attempted to breach the pitch area, forcing stewards and police to form a security cordon to restore order.
After play eventually resumed, Diaz stepped up to take the penalty deep into added time but saw his attempted chip saved by Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, keeping the score level at 0–0 and sending the final into extra time.
Diaz had led Morocco’s appeals for the spot-kick, with members of the home team’s bench also involved in the protests before the decision was confirmed.
Calm returned once extra time got underway, allowing the final to continue after one of the most dramatic and chaotic moments of the tournament.
