New Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) champions may face stiffer penalties – including being sanctioned from participating in this year World Cup in the United States Canada and Australia – for what Fifa President Gianni Infantino condemned as “unacceptable” scenes that plagued the tournament in Moroccan capital, Rabat, on Sunday.

Fears of Senegal being kicked out of World Cup Finals emerged after Africa African Football Confederation (CAF) slapped Senegal’s national team manager Pape Thiaw with an indefinite suspension for leading the Teranga Lions off the field in protest against a controversial penalty awarded to the host at the death of regulation time.

Senegal’s players walked off the pitch before agreeing to continue with match, which they went on to win the AFCON title in what was a chaotic showpiece. Morocco were awarded a controversial penalty deep into stoppage time and that led to major backlash from their opponents.

After a pause of over 20 minutes, during which police clashed with angry fans pitchside, Brahim Diaz stepped up to the spot. He incredibly missed, and then in extra time, Pape Gueye won the tournament for Senegal in dramatic fashion.

The final was also littered with clashes between the two teams, with ball boys even getting involved in the shocking scenes.

According to TalkSport, after the match, Moroccan journalists jeered and forced Senegal boss Pape Thiaw to walk out of his press conference.

“It was a match that marred the AFCON tournament and has taken all the headlines after the showpiece clash on Sunday. That has led to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) condemning the scenes, with Fifa chief Infantino now speaking out to do so too.

However, on Monday evening some media platforms began to report that Senegal is at the risk of losing its berth in the 2026 finals.

Infantino said: “We also witnessed unacceptable scenes on the field and in the stands – we strongly condemn the behaviour of some ‘supporters’ as well as some Senegalese players and technical staff members.”

Speculation went a notch higher following reports that Fifa and CAF were contemplating further – unspecified – action after suspending coach Pape Thiaw.

In a statement CAF made clear its objection to Senegal’s walk-off, describing it as “unacceptable” and “inappropriate” and saying it would be “reviewing all footage and will refer the matter to competent bodies for appropriate action to be taken against those found guilty”.

Fifa President Gianni Infantino, said: “We strongly condemn the behaviour of some ‘supporters’ as well as some Senegalese players and technical staff members. It is unacceptable to leave the field of play in this manner, and equally, violence cannot be tolerated in our sport, it is simply not right. We must always respect the decisions taken by the match officials.”

A report in The Independent says, “The governing body of African football has confirmed it has opened disciplinary proceedings after Senegal players staged a mid-game walk-off during a chaotic end to the Africa Cup of Nations final.

“The final in Rabat descended into chaos deep into stoppage time when hosts Morocco were awarded a penalty after a VAR review by Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala as Diaz went down the box under the challenge of El Hadji Malick Diouf.

“Senegal, who had an opening goal disallowed for a soft foul on Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi moments before, were outraged and the majority of the Senegal team led by head coach Pape Thiaw, stormed off the pitch, leading to a 20-minute delay.”

In a statement, Moroccan football federation said, “The Royal Moroccan Football Federation announces that it will pursue legal action with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and Fifa to rule on the walk-off of the Senegalese national team from the field during the final against the Moroccan national team, as well as on the events surrounding this decision, following the referee’s awarding of a penalty that was deemed correct by all experts,” a statement read. “This situation had a significant impact on the normal course of the match and on the players’ performance.”

Suspension of Senegal from the 2026 World Cup Finals may further be given impetus by the outcome of the case Morocco’s football federation has announced it will pursue over the chaotic and controversial Africa Cup of Nations final. Morocco, The Guardian reports the Moroccans believe “that the decision of Senegal’s players to leave the pitch, causing a 20-minute delay, had a material impact on the result.”

Senegal secured their second AFCON title via a 1-0 victory at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat, Pape Gueye scoring the only goal on 94 minutes. But that came after an incredible denouement to normal time with Morocco awarded a penalty when El Hadji Malick Diouf was penalised, following a video assistant referee review, for a pull on Brahim Díaz as he defended a corner.

• A Tell Media report