The Confederation of African Football has condemned the chaotic scenes that marred the Africa Cup of Nations final between hosts Morocco and Senegal in Rabat, announcing a formal review of the conduct of players, officials and supporters after a night that veered from high drama to near disorder.

What had been a tense but largely controlled contest between two of Africa’s elite sides spiralled into confusion late in normal time, when a series of contentious refereeing decisions ignited tempers on the pitch and fury in the stands. The match, played in front of a packed stadium and a global television audience, was meant to showcase the best of African football. Instead, it ended with questions over discipline, security and the pressure placed on match officials at the continent’s showpiece tournament.

For most of the game, the final followed a familiar pattern for high-stakes international football: physical, tactical, and occasionally ill-tempered, but within the bounds of what is expected at this level. That changed in the closing stages, when Senegal, pushing hard against the hosts, saw two key decisions go against them. The second incident, involving Real Madrid forward Brahim Díaz, proved to be the flashpoint.

Díaz went down in the penalty area under a challenge, immediately springing to his feet to demand a spot kick. Surrounded by protesting teammates, he continued his appeals as the referee signalled for a VAR review. The stadium atmosphere, already charged, grew more hostile as the officials pored over the footage. When the decision ultimately went Morocco’s way, confirming the penalty, the reaction was explosive.

In the stands, sections of Senegal’s support erupted in anger. Objects were reported to have been thrown, and security personnel moved quickly to form a barrier between rival groups of fans. On the touchline, coaches and substitutes from both teams spilled into the technical area, gesturing furiously at the officials. The sense that the match was slipping out of control was unmistakable.

On the pitch, Senegal coach Pape Thiaw appeared to reach breaking point. In a remarkable scene for a continental final, he seemed to signal to his players to leave the field in protest. Several Senegalese players headed toward the tunnel, some gesturing in frustration, others simply looking bewildered. The match was halted as confusion reigned, with match officials and security staff unsure whether the game would continue.

It was at this moment that Sadio Mané, Senegal’s veteran talisman and one of Africa’s most respected players, intervened. Mané, who had been attempting to calm teammates throughout the confrontation, followed his colleagues toward the tunnel and urged them to return to the pitch. His intervention, according to witnesses, was decisive. Gradually, the Senegal players re-emerged, and the prospect of an abandoned final receded.

The interruption lasted around 17 minutes. During that time, police and stadium security were deployed in greater numbers in the stands, attempting to restore order among agitated supporters. The delay broke the rhythm of the match and left both teams facing the challenge of regaining focus in a febrile atmosphere.

When play finally resumed, Díaz stepped up to take the penalty that had triggered the chaos. The weight of expectation was immense, but his effort failed to find the net, a twist that only deepened the sense of a final spinning unpredictably between triumph and disaster. With the score still level, the match moved into extra time.

In the additional period, it was Senegal who found the decisive moment. Midfielder Pape Gueye struck what proved to be the winning goal for the Teranga Lions, securing the title and sparking celebrations among the Senegalese players and staff. Yet even as they lifted the trophy, the shadow of the preceding scenes hung over the occasion. The footballing achievement was undeniable, but the spectacle had been tarnished.

CAF moved quickly to address the controversy. In a strongly worded statement, the governing body condemned what it described as “unacceptable behaviour” by some players and officials during the final. It singled out actions directed at the refereeing team and match organisers as particularly serious, stressing that such conduct undermines the integrity of the competition and the safety of those involved.

CAF confirmed that it is reviewing all available footage from the match, including the incidents on the pitch, the touchline confrontations and the disturbances in the stands. The organisation said the material will be handed to its disciplinary bodies, which are empowered to recommend sanctions against individuals, teams or associations found to have breached regulations.

The statement underlined CAF’s intention to take “appropriate action” once the review is complete. That could range from fines and suspensions for players and officials to broader measures aimed at improving matchday security and the management of high-pressure situations involving VAR and refereeing decisions.

The fallout did not end with the final whistle. In the media area, Senegal’s post-match press conference descended into further discord. Journalists clashed verbally, with arguments breaking out over the events of the match and the behaviour of those involved. The situation deteriorated to the point that the press conference was abandoned altogether, depriving reporters and fans of the usual post-match analysis from the newly crowned champions.

The scenes in Rabat have raised uncomfortable questions for CAF at a time when the organisation has been eager to project an image of professionalism and progress. The expanded global audience for African football, the presence of high-profile stars from Europe’s top leagues and the growing commercial value of the tournament have all increased scrutiny on how the competition is run and how crises are handled.

Disputes over refereeing decisions are hardly unique to African football, and the introduction of VAR was intended to reduce controversy rather than inflame it. Yet the final demonstrated how technology can become a flashpoint when trust in officiating is fragile and emotions are running high. The long delay, the visible confusion among players and the lack of clear communication to those in the stadium all contributed to the sense of chaos.

CAF’s promised review is likely to focus not only on individual misconduct but also on structural issues: the training and protection of referees, the protocols for VAR intervention, the responsibilities of team officials in calming their players, and the coordination between security forces and match organisers when tensions escalate.

For Senegal, the night will be remembered both for Gueye’s decisive goal and for the extraordinary moment when their players appeared ready to walk away from the biggest match in African football. For Morocco, the disappointment of defeat on home soil was compounded by the controversy surrounding the penalty incident and the wider disorder.

For CAF, the final has become a test of its disciplinary resolve and its capacity to learn from a crisis. The governing body’s condemnation of the scenes in Rabat is only the first step. The real measure will be the transparency of its investigation, the firmness of any sanctions, and the reforms it is willing to pursue to ensure that future finals are remembered for football, not chaos.