JEREMY CROSS COLUMN: Senegal should be made to forfeit the AFCON final to make Morocco the winners – for the sake of football’s respect and reputation
As precedents go, it might just be the most dangerous one in football history. Bringing into question the integrity of an entire tournament – and the sport itself.
Senegal beat Morocco to win the Africa Cup of Nations. But this is just a footnote. Because the final descended into utter farce and chaos when Senegal temporarily refused to play, after the hosts were awarded a stoppage-time penalty with the match goalless.
Cue bedlam. The decision was too much for Senegal boss Pape Thiaw, who ordered his team off the pitch. He had been incensed moments earlier when his team were denied a winning goal, with Ismaila Sarr’s strike ruled out for a supposed foul.
Take a bow Sadio Mane, who stood firm and encouraged his team-mates to return. Almost 15 minutes elapsed before Thiaw came to his senses and allowed Senegal to go back on.
But when Brahim Diaz missed from the spot, Senegal refused to celebrate. His tame ‘Panenka’ effort was caught by Senegal keeper Edouard Mendy, who barely had to move.
Either Senegal were still in shock at the sheer madness of their manager. Or Diaz missed on purpose – and Senegal knew he would. How has it come to this?
Thiaw should never be allowed to manage a football team again. In one fell swoop, he brought utter shame on himself, his nation and an entire continent.
AFCON is one of the biggest tournaments in the sport. But thanks to the cretinous actions of Thiaw, its reputation and prestige will now be forever stained.
If a manager decided to haul his side off the pitch every time he didn’t agree with some of the referee’s decisions, we’d never reach the end of a match – let alone a competition or season.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s great Manchester United side would still be in the Old Trafford dressing room now. Because no-one clashed with officials more than Fergie did.
The ugly scenes persuaded FIFA president Gianni Infantino to take to social media to make his feelings clear. In a rare moment of clarity, Infantino broke with tradition and got something right when condemning the actions of Thiaw.
“Decisions taken by the match officials must always be respected,” he said. “Because anything less puts the very essence of football at risk.”
Infantino then proceeded to pass the buck to someone else. He urged the disciplinary bodies of the Confederation Africaine de Football (CAF) to take appropriate measures. And we all know what these should be.
If CAF are incapable of doling out a significant punishment, Infantino should take time off from kissing the backside of US president Donald Trump ahead of the World Cup – and intervene.
This is now a wonderful chance for the most popular sport on the planet to make opposite examples of two people.
To show the world the game knows right from wrong. Thiaw should face a lifetime ban from working in football, while Senegal should be made to forfeit the game. Make Morocco the winners.
While Mane should be given the freedom of Africa and the ‘FIFA Fair Play Award’. Footballers have a huge responsibility to set the right example to future generations of players and supporters.
Mane said: “Football is something special and the world was watching, so we have to give a good image for football. I’d rather lose than this kind of thing happen to our football.”
Thomas Frank has to be sacked – Tottenham have no other option
What more evidence do Tottenham bosses need, to have to sack Thomas Frank?
Spurs are 14th in the Premier League. They have won just one of their past eight games, seven from 22 all season and have crashed out of both domestic cup competitions.
The atmosphere at home games is now toxic, with supporters calling for Frank to be axed. But forget all of the above. Because losing at home to West Ham alone, is enough reason for a manager to be dismissed. It doesn’t get more humiliating than this.
He might be a Dane, but great he isn’t. Frank did a great job at Brentford before being lured across London in the summer.
But he went from being a big fish in a small pond to swimming with sharks, considering the levels Tottenham expect themselves to be at. And he hasn’t been able to cope.
He hasn’t even come close – and Spurs have no option but to put him out of his misery.