Bryan Mbeumo of Manchester United and Amad Diallo. EPA/ADAM VAUGHAN
Wednesday Apr 08, 2026. 15:00
Manchester United duo Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo ridiculed the Confederation of African Football’s decision to strip Senegal of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title.
The Lions of Teranga beat Morocco 1-0 after extra time in the final on January 18, although the match descended into chaos after Pape Thiaw’s side walked off the pitch in second-half stoppage time to protest the referee’s awarding of a controversial penalty to the Atlas Lions.
The match was delayed for 16 minutes before Sadio Mane eventually persuaded his team-mates to return and Brahim Diaz then failed to convert his spot-kick which meant that extra time was needed.
Pape Gueye scored the winning goal in the 94th minute to hand Senegal their second continental crown, although the CAF Appeals Board ruled in favour of Morocco two months later following a plea and African football’s governing body made them champions.
Mbeumo and Diallo, who represented Cameroon and Ivory Coast respectively at AFCON 2025, were asked about the ruling at a press conference while the Red Devils were on training camp in Ireland during the international break.
The journalist’s question brought laughter from the African stars before Diallo added: “No comment.”
CAF has faced widespread criticism over the decision and the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) lodged an appeal of its own with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).