# Controversy surrounding AFCON final

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/controversy-surrounding-afcon-final
> Updated: 2026-09-06T19:20:51.000Z. Sources: 8. Developments: 2.

Former Moroccan national team coach Walid Regragui has addressed the fallout from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final between Morocco and Senegal. Initially, Regragui commented on the match dynamics, specifically questioning how a 15-minute delay surrounding a penalty awarded to Brahim Diaz might have disrupted player concentration.

As the controversy progressed, Regragui intensified his criticism, describing the incident as a “stain on African football” and stating, “The big loser today is African football!” He condemned the conduct of Senegalese players for leaving the pitch during the interruption and criticized Ibrahim Mbaye for using social media from the locker room during the stoppage. The match outcome remains unresolved pending a verdict from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

## Timeline

### 2026-09-06: Walid Regragui criticizes Senegal following controversial AFCON final

Former Morocco coach Walid Regragui criticized the conduct of Senegalese players during the controversial 2025 AFCON final, citing player protests and social media use as damaging to African football.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/walid-regragui-criticizes-senegal-following-controversial-afcon-final

### 2026-08-31: Walid Regragui discusses childhood labor and AFCON final delays

Former Morocco coach Walid Regragui discussed his childhood working at Orly Airport and analyzed how long match delays during the Africa Cup of Nations final may have impacted player concentration.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/walid-regragui-discusses-childhood-labor-and-afcon-final-delays

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Cite as: Controversy surrounding AFCON final. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/controversy-surrounding-afcon-final