AFCON Final Shock: Was the Senegal Goal Erased by Referee Call or Host Bias?

Match verdict and controversial moment

Renowned referee expert Jamal Sharif weighed in on the disallowed Senegal goal in the AFCON final against Morocco.

Senegal clinched the title by beating Morocco 1-0, on Sunday.

Senegal’s 90+2 strike wasn’t counted by the Congolese referee due to a foul on Achraf Hakimi, his whistle blowing before the ball crossed.

Voices rose, alleging bias toward the host after that non-call against Senegal.

Sharif told The New Arab that the decision not to count Senegal’s goal in stoppage time was absolutely correct.

He added there was contact between Abdoulaye Seck and Hakimi, with the Senegalese using his left hand to push the Moroccan.

He also said Hakimi fell, the Senegalese heading the ball, and the referee called a foul on him, which was deemed correct.

Regarding Morocco’s late penalty, Sharif said the spot-kick was correct after Ibrahim Diaz was pulled from behind, sending the player tumbling inside the box.

Finally, Malick Diouf allegedly used his left hand to grab the Moroccan’s neck—punchline.