Morocco’s King Mohammed VI has called for African unity and fraternity after clashes and protests overshadowed the closing moments of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final between Morocco and Senegal.
In a statement released by the royal palace, the king said that African brotherhood would prevail despite what he described as “deplorable” acts that took place during and after the final. He said the incidents were regrettable but stressed that emotions linked to football often run high and would fade with time.
The AFCON final, held in Morocco, ended with Senegal defeating the host nation 1–0 after extra time. However, the match was marked by controversy after Senegalese players briefly walked off the pitch in protest at a penalty awarded to Morocco following a review by the video assistant referee (VAR).
After discussions with officials, Senegal’s players returned to the field and completed the match. Senegal went on to score the winning goal in extra time, securing the continental title.
Tensions continued after the final whistle. Clashes broke out when groups of Senegalese supporters attempted to enter the pitch. Moroccan security forces intervened to prevent fans from reaching the players, leading to confrontations inside the stadium.
In his statement, King Mohammed VI said the scenes at the end of the match were unfortunate but should not overshadow the wider meaning of the tournament. He said that once emotions had settled, “inter-African fraternity will naturally take over”.
The king underlined the long-standing historical and cultural ties between Morocco and Senegal. He said that cooperation and friendship built between African nations over many years could not be weakened by isolated incidents linked to a football match.
He also praised the Africa Cup of Nations tournament as a whole, describing it as a success for Africa and a positive showcase of Morocco’s development. The king said the competition demonstrated the continent’s ability to host major international sporting events to a high standard.
King Mohammed VI congratulated Moroccan citizens for their role in hosting the tournament, saying their mobilisation and commitment helped ensure that the event was peaceful, festive and widely praised at international level.
Morocco has invested heavily in sports infrastructure in recent years and has positioned itself as a regional hub for international competitions. Hosting the AFCON final was seen as part of the country’s broader effort to strengthen its presence in global and African sport.
Africa’s football governing body, the Confederation of African Football (CAF), said it was reviewing reports from match officials and security services and would take “appropriate action” once its investigation was complete. CAF did not provide details on possible sanctions but said it took the incidents seriously.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino also reacted to the events, condemning the behaviour of some Senegalese players and staff during the match. In a statement, he said protests against refereeing decisions should be handled within the rules of the game and warned that misconduct could damage football’s reputation.
Senegal’s football authorities have not yet issued a formal response to the criticism. However, Senegalese fans celebrated the country’s victory at home and abroad, marking another major achievement for the West African nation in international football.
Despite the disorder at the final, observers said the tournament overall passed without major security incidents and attracted large crowds and television audiences across the continent.
King Mohammed VI’s call for unity reflects wider concerns among African leaders and sporting bodies that football rivalries should not undermine political, social and cultural cooperation between African states.
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