Football icon Thierry Henry has criticised the officiating during the AFCON 2025 final, arguing that refereeing mistakes were largely responsible for the chaos that overshadowed Senegal’s dramatic 1–0 extra-time victory over hosts Morocco in Rabat.
While praising the overall quality and intensity of the tournament, Henry expressed disappointment that the final African football’s biggest stage descended into confusion due to what he described as inconsistent decision-making by match officials. According to him, the refereeing performance failed to match the standard of the game on display.
The controversy peaked late in regulation time when Senegal had a potential goal ruled out following a contentious decision. Shortly afterward, a VAR review resulted in a penalty being awarded to Morocco, a call that immediately sparked outrage from the Senegal camp. Players and officials protested vigorously, leading head coach Pape Bouna Thiaw to briefly instruct his team to walk off the pitch in protest.
The match was halted for several minutes as officials attempted to restore order. After intervention from senior players, including captain Sadio Mané, Senegal returned to the field. Morocco’s resulting penalty was missed, shifting momentum before extra time resumed. Senegal eventually secured the title through Pape Gueye’s decisive extra-time goal, sealing their second AFCON crown in four years.
Henry acknowledged that the reaction of Senegal’s players and officials was inappropriate but maintained that poor officiating created the conditions for the unrest. He emphasised that referees struggled with game management and communication at critical moments, allowing tensions to spiral unnecessarily.
“Referees are not at the level of the show,” Henry remarked, suggesting that the issue goes beyond a single match and reflects a broader need for improvement in officiating standards, particularly in high-pressure fixtures.
Following the final, football authorities condemned the chaotic scenes and reaffirmed the importance of discipline and respect for match officials. However, Henry’s comments have added momentum to calls for better referee preparation, clearer VAR implementation, and stronger leadership on the pitch.
Despite the controversy, the former Arsenal and France star stressed that AFCON 2025 showcased African football at its best in terms of passion and talent. He concluded that future tournaments must ensure that decisive moments are remembered for footballing excellence not officiating disputes.