The Everton midfielder Idrissa Gueye has raised a new discussion about the Africa Cup of Nations final by hinting he would give back the winners’ medals of Senegal to Morocco if that could help calm the two countries.
Senegal were initially declared 1-0 extra-time winners of Morocco in the final of the tournament that took place in Rabat in January. However, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) later changed the result to a 3-0 win and the title for Morocco after Senegal’s walk-off from the match for 15 minutes.
Afterward, Everton’s 3-0 Premier League victory over Chelsea, Gueye, who plays for Senegal, expressed his dissatisfaction with the decision, submitting the argument that the Teranga Lions deserved their victory because they bested their opponent on the pitch. He said CAF’s decision was “ridiculous” and the players still consider Senegal as the real champions.
The disaster was instigated by Senegal having the players protest their walk-off after a penalty was given to Morocco very late in the game. The game was stopped for 15 minutes due to crowd unrest before the continuation of the match, where Brahim Diaz for Morocco missed the penalty. Subsequently, Pape Gueye netted the winning goal in extra time.
Gueye also disclosed that at first, he did not agree with Senegal taking the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, but urged them to come back with a nice message.
