Ex-PGMOL official says if Senegal vs Morocco penalty decision was correct after what West Ham star did

Senegal players walked off the pitch in protest after Morocco were awarded a penalty in Sunday’s AFCON final.

Morocco were the favourites to win AFCON, but they were ultimately beaten 1-0 after extra time, with Pape Gueye scoring a thundering winner to end a chaotic affair.

The match has drummed up significant controversy in the hours since, due to a final 10 minutes that saw refereeing decisions cause uproar.

Ismaila’s Sarr goal against Morocco was ruled out for a foul on Achraf Hakimi, with video replays revealing that there had been minimal contact.

And after the host nation were awarded a penalty in stoppage time, Senegal players stormed off the pitch and sent the AFCON final into disrepute.

Keith Hackett backs referee in penalty decision

The incredible scenes that descended on the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium on Sunday will not be forgotten in a hurry.

When El Hadji Malick Diouf was penalised on review for pulling down Brahim Diaz, Pape Thiaw waved his Senegal team off the pitch in protest.

After several brawls on the pitch and in the stands, and after much convincing from Sadio Mane, the team finally returned to the pitch almost 15 minutes later.

Cue Diaz to take one of the most ridiculous penalties of all time – an attempted panenka that Edouard Mendy watched and caught with ease.

Gueye’s winner was seen as justice by many, but former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett exclusively told Football Insider that referee Jean-Jacques Ndala was right to award a spot kick.

“The defender had his arm on the shoulder and neck of the attacker, who went to the ground after feeling the contact from his opponent,” he said.

“It was an offence, the defender’s challenge being careless. The referee was correct to award a penalty kick, albeit that it might have appeared soft.”

Former AFCON winner reacts to Senegal vs Morocco scenes

Former Nigeria international Efan Ekoku, who won AFCON in 1994, felt the decision was soft, but that the reaction was wrong.

“It was soft,” he told E4. “It was foolish and reckless by El Hadji Malick Diouf, but the decision had been made and the players have to abide by that.

“You cannot do that. However aggrieved you feel at it you have got to let the referee and the rules [make the decision]. I have got some sympathy, but this is not a good look.”

The Confederation for African Football have confirmed that they are reviewing the incident, with both Senegal and Morocco to discover their fate in the coming weeks.

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