Pape Thiaw has reopened debate surrounding one of the most controversial moments in recent African football after offering fresh comments about Senegal’s temporary withdrawal during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final against Morocco.
The Senegal coach addressed the incident in a documentary produced by independent journalist Saikou Sidy, with excerpts from the film appearing to provide a different explanation for the events that unfolded during the final in Rabat.
The controversy remains unresolved months after the match, with the case still under review by the Court of Arbitration for Sport following an appeal from the Senegalese Football Federation.
Final overshadowed by walk-off controversy
Senegal had originally defeated Morocco 1-0 in the final played in Rabat in January. However, the situation changed dramatically after the match when the appeals committee of the Confederation of African Football decided to award the title to Morocco.
The decision was linked to the temporary withdrawal of Senegal’s players from the pitch during the contest.
The incident quickly became one of the most debated episodes in African football, drawing widespread reactions across the continent and prompting disciplinary action from CAF.
Thiaw was later handed a five-match suspension and fined $100,000 after being found responsible for instructing his players to leave the field.
Despite the sanctions, the Senegalese federation chose to challenge CAF’s ruling by taking the matter to CAS, where a final decision is expected after the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Documentary offers new perspective on incident
The latest debate emerged following the release of a promotional clip for the documentary titled “Step by Step with Pape Thiaw”, a 52-minute film examining the circumstances surrounding the final.
In the preview, Thiaw suggested that the team’s withdrawal was not solely connected to opposition to a refereeing decision involving a penalty awarded to Morocco during the second half.
He explained: “Our fans were on the other side, and there were problems even on the pitch, so we couldn’t play.”
The remarks immediately attracted attention because they appeared to introduce additional factors behind the decision to suspend play and leave the field temporarily.
The comments have since fuelled renewed discussion among supporters and observers, particularly as the case remains active before CAS.
Questions raised over apparent contradiction
Some fans reacted with surprise to Thiaw’s latest explanation because it appeared inconsistent with comments he made shortly after the final.
In the aftermath of the match, before CAF’s appeals committee formally reassigned the title, the Senegal coach publicly expressed regret over the incident.
At the time, he said: “We did not agree with the decision. But after reflection, I absolutely did not like that I asked my players to leave the field. I apologize to football.”
Those remarks had been widely interpreted as an admission that the decision to withdraw had been driven primarily by frustration with the officiating.
The latest statements, however, suggest that concerns related to conditions inside the stadium may also have played a role.
Full documentary expected to provide further context
Despite the renewed controversy, it remains unclear whether Thiaw intended to alter his previous account of events or simply provide additional context.
Observers have noted that judging the coach’s latest comments may be premature until the documentary is released in full and his complete explanation becomes available.
The broadcast is expected to attract significant attention across African football, particularly given the continuing legal process and the unresolved nature of the dispute surrounding the final.
For now, the AFCON final controversy remains one of the most contentious issues in recent continental football history, with the eventual CAS ruling likely to determine how the episode is ultimately remembered.
