Tunisian Al-Mouldi: "Senegal Coach Must Be Punished for His Actions; This Isn't a Neighborhood Ramadan Match"

Tunisian journalist Fathi Mouloudi, an analyst for Qatar's beIN Sports channels, erupted in anger at Bab Thiaw, the coach of the Senegal national team, after he ordered his players to withdraw from the Africa Cup of Nations final against Morocco. Mouloudi stressed the necessity of imposing strict sanctions on Thiaw's unsportsmanlike conduct.

Mouloudi stated: "The behavior of the Senegal national team coach is completely unacceptable. It nearly led to a two-year ban for Senegal from participating and threatened the future of Senegalese football. This action has placed African football under a huge question mark."

He added: "There must be sanctions. We are not playing in a neighborhood, or a Ramadan match between neighborhoods; we are playing the Africa Cup final, and you act this way and withdraw. This kind of behavior is for our local neighborhoods, not the Africa Cup. If no sanctions are imposed on him, another coach might come and act in the same manner."

Mouloudi continued: "Thank God, there are wise individuals, but it is regrettable that the student, Sadio Mané, had to teach a lesson to the teacher, coach Bab Thiaw. Mané went to bring the players back to the field, stating: 'We are men and we will not leave. Even if we lose, we will lose on the field.'"

The same speaker concluded: "If you protest a disallowed goal or a penalty, you should protest in the middle of the field, and the match continues. The Senegal coach's behavior was extraordinary and utterly inappropriate; he is an amateur coach."