Thursday, January 22, 2026- In the aftermath of the dramatic 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final in Rabat, former France star and current pundit Thierry Henry openly criticized the refereeing standards that he believes helped fuel the chaos that marred the showdown between Senegal and Morocco.
Henry described several key officiating decisions including a disallowed Senegal goal and a contentious late penalty awarded to Morocco as examples of refereeing that simply “is not at the level of the show,” arguing that such mistakes sparked frustration among players and fans alike and contributed to the extraordinary scenes witnessed on the pitch.
Henry’s comments cut to the heart of broader concerns over officiating at high-profile tournaments. Rather than blaming individual match officials alone, he placed responsibility on the systems responsible for preparing them, stressing that better training and support are needed to bring referees up to the pace of modern international football.
While acknowledging the overall quality and organization of the tournament, praising Morocco’s hosting and infrastructure, Henry warned that without real improvements in officiating, similar controversies could continue to overshadow the spectacle and achievements of African football.
Beyond technical critique, Henry also condemned the moment when Senegal’s players briefly walked off the pitch in protest, saying that such actions send the wrong message about sportsmanship and the image African football wants to project globally.
He urged stakeholders to protect the integrity of the game, ensuring that emotional reactions don’t detract from the players’ performances or the unifying spirit of the sport. His urgent call for reform reflects growing global attention on how crucial referee quality is to the credibility and future growth of major competitions like AFCON.
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