Senegal Were Disqualified From AFCON After Chaotic Match Ended in Riot

Senegal were previously disqualified from the Africa Cup of Nations after crowd trouble caused their match against Ivory Coast to be abandoned.

Senegal were crowned 2026 champions on Sunday night after Pape Gueye's extra-time goal gave them a 1-0 win over Morocco.

There were chaotic scenes at the end of the match, as their coach Pape Thiaw ordered his players off the field after Morocco were awarded a penalty in second half stoppage time.

After captain Sadio Mane convinced the team to return, Brahim Diaz's attempted Panenka penalty was saved by Edouard Mendy, leading to extra time.

The Confederation of African Football have confirmed that Senegal will face punishment over their walk-off, with an investigation now underway.

Sadio Mane was instrumental in calling the Senegal players back to the pitch 👏#AFCONFinal | #TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 pic.twitter.com/LV34ZuSoL4

— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) January 18, 2026

They add that they 'condemn the unacceptable behaviour from some players and officials'.

Though CAF regulations state that a team is 'considered loser' if they 'refuse to play or leave the ground before the regular end of the match without the authorisation of the referee', it appears unlikely that such a sanction will be awarded.

Back in 2012, however, Senegal were disqualified from the entire competition before they were able to kick a ball.

They were 4-2 down after the first leg of their qualifying play-off clash against Ivory Coast.

Didier Drogba put Ivory Coast 2-0 up in the return leg, held in the Senegalese capital of Dakar, with two goals in the second half.

His second goal was converted from the spot on 71 minutes after a controversial penalty was awarded.

The goal led to significant crowd trouble, with fires started in the stands and missiles thrown on to the pitch.

Stones and bottles were among the other items thrown, while tear gas was used. The match was abandoned at 2-0.

CAF subsequently confirmed that the 2-0 scoreline would stand to send Ivory Coast through to the tournament proper, with Senegal formally disqualified.

"CAF decided to officially confirm the match as 2-0 in favour of Ivory Coast ... and to consider Senegal the loser of the match and eliminated from the competition," the statement read.

"If the referee is forced to stop the match before the end of the regular time because of invasion of the field or aggression against the visiting team, the host team shall be considered loser and shall be eliminated from the competition, without prejudice to the sanctions existing in the regulations."