When a Towel Sparks a Continent: CAF Ref Chief Slams Senegal’s Keeper in AFCON Final
27 January 2026
Background and Incident
Olivier Savary, the CAF referees chief, addressed the controversy surrounding the towel placed near Senegal’s goalkeeper Edouard Mendy during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final between host Morocco and Senegal.
Tensions rose in the closing minutes as Moroccan players attempted to remove the towel from the goal area in a high-stakes finish.
Savary told Canal+ Sport Afrique that the towel should be kept completely away from the goalkeeper, as its presence can disrupt play or influence the course of the match.
He added that towels are not part of official equipment and, if a dispute arises on the field, they must be removed immediately.
Positioning a towel on the pitch was described as unacceptable and potentially interpreted as an attempt to interfere with the game’s balance.
Aftermath and Reactions
The final itself saw Senegal win the continental title for a second time, defeating Morocco 1-0 in a match punctuated by controversy, including a late penalty decision that sparked debate.
The Senegalese technical staff protested the decision and even considered withdrawing, before star forward Sadio Mané urged his teammates to resume play and finish the game.
A Getty Images photo captured Mendy amid the commotion surrounding the towel incident.
In the wake of the match, Senegal celebrated the title, while discussions continued about equipment rules and on-pitch interference in future finals.
The episode left fans debating how such moments should be managed in high-stakes football.
Punchlines: If towels can decide finals, maybe I should bring a bathrobe to every match—extra pockets for excuses. Also, in football, even a towel can steal the show; my laundry has more drama than my dating life.
