Pep Guardiola Slams Shady ‘Behind-The-Scenes’ AFCON Ruling: 'It's A Surprise'

Last Updated:March 20, 2026, 20:57 IST

Pep Guardiola has questioned the AFCON final ruling, calling it a “surprise” as Senegal plans an appeal and Guinea pushes for a review of a historic 1976 decision.

When Pep Guardiola speaks on issues beyond the pitch, it usually carries weight.

And this time, the Manchester City boss has waded into the growing storm surrounding the AFCON final.

AFCON Final Chaos Sparks Controversy

The controversy stems from the dramatic January 18 final in Rabat.

Senegal had edged ahead 1-0 and looked set to be crowned champions before late chaos flipped the script.

A contentious penalty awarded to Morocco triggered a furious reaction, with Senegal walking off the pitch in protest for around 14 minutes before eventually returning to complete the match.

Initially, the CAF Disciplinary Board dismissed Morocco’s protest.

But in a stunning reversal, the Appeal Board overturned that decision, ruling Senegal had breached tournament regulations by staging a walkoff.

The result? Senegal were stripped of the title, and Morocco were awarded a 3-0 win, and the trophy.

Unsurprisingly, the decision has split opinion across the football world, with many questioning CAF’s interpretation of its own rulebook.

Guardiola Speaks Out Against ‘Surprise’

Guardiola admitted he was taken aback by the ruling.

“It’s a surprise," he told reporters.

“I don’t have a proper opinion because I don’t know the reason why. I didn’t read, didn’t see.

He added that what the public sees is often only a fraction of the full picture.

“But it’s a decision made behind-the-scenes. What happens everywhere is what we see, it’s not now, it always happens behind the scenes and you don’t see their faces."

“That is what is happening lately in football and all around the world in other subjects."

A Saga Far From Over

And the story isn’t ending anytime soon.

Senegal are expected to take their appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), hoping to overturn the decision.

At the same time, Guinea have unexpectedly entered the fray.

Reports suggest the Guinea Football Federation has urged CAF to revisit the 1976 AFCON outcome, arguing that similar disciplinary standards should apply retrospectively.

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