The 2025 AFCAN which was expected to be one of the best orgnaised AFCONs was marked with a “Towel-Gate” and the Question of Fair Play in Rabat. While the scoreboard at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium read Senegal 1-0 Morocco, the headlines following the 2025 AFCON final are dominated by allegations of “underhanded tactics” and a lack of sportsmanship. The tournament, hosted by Morocco, concluded in a firestorm of controversy as footage emerged of Moroccan players and ball boys repeatedly attempting to steal the towels of opposing goalkeepers.
The “Towel-Gate” Incident: Psychological Warfare or Cheating?
In the pouring rain of the final, Senegal’s goalkeeper Edouard Mendy became the target of a bizarre coordinated effort. Dry towels are essential for goalkeepers to maintain grip on the ball in wet conditions, yet footage shows Moroccan winger Ismael Saibari and several ball boys attempting to snatch Mendy’s towel.
The situation escalated when Senegal’s backup keeper, Yehvann Diouf, was forced to physically shield the towel. In scenes described by fans as “disgraceful,” Diouf was seen being wrestled to the turf by ball boys while trying to protect his teammate’s equipment. Perhaps most shocking was the involvement of Morocco’s captain and PSG star Achraf Hakimi, who was caught on camera snatching Mendy’s towel and hurling it over the advertising boards.
This was not an isolated event. Nigeria’s Stanley Nwabali reported similar treatment during the semi-finals, later mocking the Moroccan side on social media by telling them to “use my towel to wipe your tears” after their final defeat.
CAF Sanctions Senegal While Overlooking Morocco
Despite the viral evidence of towel-snatching and ball-boy interference, the official response from football’s governing bodies has focused almost exclusively on Senegal’s reaction to a controversial late-game penalty.
- Sanctions for Pape Thiaw: Senegal’s coach, Pape Thiaw, is facing severe disciplinary action from CAF after he briefly led his players off the pitch in protest of a VAR-awarded penalty for Morocco in the 90th minute.
- FIFA’s Stance: FIFA President Gianni Infantino condemned the “unacceptable scenes” caused by the Senegalese walk-off, labeling it a “shameful image for African football.”
- The Double Standard: Critics argue that while Senegal’s protest was a breach of protocol, the systemic “towel-stealing” by the host nation—which directly affects a player’s ability to perform safely—has been largely ignored. Adding insult to injury, CAF awarded Morocco the Fair Play Team of the Tournament prize, a move that sparked an immediate backlash on social media under the hashtag #TowelDor.
A “Non-Football Friendly” Spirit
The “towel-gate” saga raises serious questions about the “home advantage” in modern tournaments. When ball boys, who are under the jurisdiction of the host federation, are seen actively hindering professional athletes, the integrity of the game is called into question.
“It is beyond disgraceful,” wrote one fan on X (formerly Twitter). “These are professional players and ball boys dragging a keeper on the floor for a piece of cloth. This is not the football-friendly spirit we expect from a continental giant like Morocco.”
As Morocco prepares to co-host the 2030 World Cup, the footballing world will be watching closely to see if CAF and FIFA address these “dark arts” or continue to look the other way.
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