Pellegrini: "What Happened in AFCON Final is Unfortunate, Senegal Made a Mistake by Leaving the Pitch"

21 January 2026at22:24

Real Betis coach Manuel Pellegrini commented on the events surrounding the Africa Cup of Nations final between Morocco and Senegal, stating that the "Teranga Lions" made a mistake by leaving the field.

Speaking at the press conference ahead of their match against PAOK Thessaloniki, Pellegrini said: "What happened in the final was regrettable. To end that way is unacceptable. The referee made a mistake, and Senegal made a mistake by leaving the field."

It is worth noting that Pape Thiaw, the coach of the Senegalese national team, had instructed his players to withdraw from the AFCON final against Morocco in protest of the referee awarding a penalty to the "Atlas Lions." He later retracted his decision after the intervention of Sadio Mané, who then went on to win the title for the second time in his history.

Q&A

Why did Senegal's coach instruct players to leave the field during the AFCON final?

Senegal's coach, Pape Thiaw, ordered his team to withdraw from the AFCON final against Morocco in protest after the referee awarded a penalty to the 'Atlas Lions.' The decision was later retracted after Sadio Mané's intervention.

What was Manuel Pellegrini's main criticism regarding the AFCON final incident?

Manuel Pellegrini stated that the events in the AFCON final were 'regrettable' and 'unacceptable,' criticizing both the referee's decision and Senegal's subsequent mistake of leaving the field in protest.

CAF Africa Cup of Nations