Former Manchester City and Newcastle United midfielder Joey Barton has slammed the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) positing it is not major tournament, following the controversy that erupted at rhis year’s fimal between hosts Morocco and eventual winners Senegal.
The AFCON 2025 degenerated into chaos after the Senegalese players walked off the pitch in second half stoppage time with the game goalless after Morocco were awarded a penalty for a foul on Real Madrid winger Brahim Diaz.
Former Liverpool star Sadio Mane remained on the pitch and urged his teammates to come back onto the pitch for the penalty.
They were already furious at having a goal disallowed at the other end for a soft-looking foul minutes earlier.
Meanwhile, trouble broke out in the stands as some Senegalese fans tried to enter the field of play and became involved in fighting with security personnel.
Also Read: I Tried To Protect My Players From Injustice –Senegal Coach Reacts To AFCON 2025 Final Controversy Vs Morocco
The game was held up for almost 20 minutes before Diaz could take the penalty, and his weak ‘panenka’ kick was saved by Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.
Then in the fourth minute of extra-time Pape Gueye went on to score what proved to be the winning goal and earned his side their second AFCON title.
Reacting to the controversies that marred the final Barton in a podcast,
argued that what happened between Morocco and Senegal have only highlighted ongoing issues with organisation and security.
“Now we know it’s not a major tournament. Let’s not be outraged again if some northern Europeans call it a farce—after all, we had a 20-minute delay,” Barton said.
“We were on the brink of a stadium war. There was a corrupt system where matches were tilted in favor of the host nation.
“On top of that, the goalkeeper was being chased by Moroccan ball boys right on the pitch,” Barton added.
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