FIFA President Gianni Infantino has issued a strong statement following the conclusion of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 final, in which Senegal emerged as champions after defeating host nation Morocco in Rabat.

In his Instagram post, the FIFA president congratulated Senegal on their triumph, praising the team, Abdoulaye Fall, President of the Senegalese Football Association, and all those involved in the historic victory.

He also extended his commendations to Morocco for hosting a successful tournament and recognised King Mohammed VI and Fouzi Lekjaa, President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, for their unwavering support of African football.

However, the president did not shy away from addressing the unacceptable incidents that marred the final.

He condemned both the behaviour of certain Senegalese players and staff, as well as actions by some supporters in the stadium.

“It is unacceptable to leave the field of play in this manner, and equally, violence cannot be tolerated in our sport, it is simply not right,” the statement read.

“We must always respect the decisions taken by the match officials on and off the field of play. Teams must compete on the pitch and within the Laws of the Game, because anything less puts the very essence of football at risk.”

The FIFA president stressed that players and teams have a responsibility to set the right example for fans and viewers around the world.

He emphasised that the ugly scenes witnessed during the final must never be repeated, and called on CAF’s disciplinary bodies to take appropriate action. 

Senegal’s victory marks a proud moment in African football, but the chaos surrounding the match has sparked urgent calls for stronger adherence to the rules and respect for sportsmanship at all levels of the game.