Brazilian journalist Fabio Piperno has said the controversy surrounding the Africa Cup of Nations final between Morocco and Senegal should have been resolved immediately, arguing that Morocco ought to have been declared the winner at the time.
Speaking to Assahifa, the Jovem Pan analyst stated that Senegal’s withdrawal from the match, along with its protest against the referee’s decisions, warranted an immediate ruling in favor of Morocco.
Piperno criticized the conduct of the Senegalese team during the final, describing the behavior of both the coach and players as “embarrassing for football” and inconsistent with the principles of fair play and respect for the rules of the game.
He added that the eventual decision by the Confederation of African Football Appeal Committee to award the match to Morocco was expected, but questioned the delay in issuing the verdict. According to him, such disputes should have been settled within the first week following the AFCON final.
Beyond the controversy, the Brazilian journalist praised the progress of Moroccan football in recent years, highlighting improvements in organization, stadiums, and infrastructure.
He also pointed to the upcoming clash between Morocco and Brazil in the group stage of the 2026 World Cup, describing it as a highly anticipated encounter. Piperno noted that Brazilian fans view Morocco as a strong and difficult opponent, predicting an exciting match for audiences.
