Crystal Palace winger Ismaila Sarr is steadfastly holding onto his Africa Cup of Nations winner’s medal and refusing to transfer his victory bonus to teammate Chadi Riad following a remarkable decision by African football’s governing body.
The Confederation of African Football overturned the result of the Afcon final on Tuesday, awarding Morocco a 3-0 victory and stripping Senegal of its title.
The 28-year-old Sarr had entered the January final as a substitute in Rabat, witnessing what appeared to be Pape Gueye’s dramatic winning goal against the host nation.
Despite the official reversal, Senegal continues to retain possession of the trophy whilst pledging to challenge the ruling.
Palace manager Oliver Glasner found considerable amusement in the unusual predicament facing his squad members from opposing nations.
The Austrian coach remarked: “I must smile and laugh about it.
“I didn’t realise Morocco went to CAF.”
Glasner acknowledged the delicate nature of having players from both countries in his dressing room.
Crystal Palace winger Ismaila Sarr is steadfastly holding onto his Africa Cup of Nations winner’s medal
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He revealed he had checked whether Sarr had surrendered his gold medal to Riad, the Moroccan defender who was not part of his nation’s Afcon squad.
Glasner added: “I also said to him, ‘Maybe you have to send your bonus to Chadi’s account,’ but he said he won’t.
“Isma was also laughing about it. I think it’s a weird situation, honestly.”
The dramatic reversal stemmed from events during stoppage time of the final, when Senegal’s players left the pitch in protest against a controversial VAR decision.
He has refused to transfer his victory bonus to teammate Chadi Riad
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Moments earlier, Sarr’s apparent winning goal had been chalked off due to what was deemed a minor push by a teammate during the build-up.
The Lions of Teranga were then incensed when VAR awarded Morocco a penalty after judging that West Ham’s El Hadji Malick Diouf had fouled Real Madrid’s Braham Diaz.
Coach Pape Thiaw instructed his squad to walk off in protest, although former Liverpool forward Sadio Mane remained on the field and urged his colleagues to return.
When the players eventually returned, Diaz failed to convert his penalty with an attempted “Panenka” chip.
Five facts about the Premier League | GETTY/GBNEWS/PAGueye subsequently netted what seemed to be the decisive goal in extra time for Senegal.
Morocco later appealed the result, with CAF’s appeal board ruling that Senegal had breached tournament regulations by leaving the field without the referee’s permission.
Senegal have announced their intention to take the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland, the ultimate authority for sporting disputes.
The decision marks an unprecedented reversal of such a prestigious final, with a similar ruling only occurring in 2024 when Romania were awarded a Nations League victory after Kosovo walked off.
