AFCON 2025: Thierry Henry slams CAF’s poor officiating, Senegal walk-out

Thierry Henry, a former French international,  has shared his views on the quality of football and officiating at the just-concluded 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.

Henry praised the tournament for showcasing an impressive blend of technical brilliance and collective team strength that continues to captivate global audiences.

However, he strongly criticised Senegal’s near walk-out during the final against hosts Morocco, describing the action as damaging to the image of African football.

Read Also: Senegal walk off in protest, then return to beat Morocco and clinch AFCON 2025 title

Controversial Decisions Trigger Senegal Protest

Senegal protested several key decisions in the final, including a disallowed goal by Ismaïla Sarr and a penalty awarded to Morocco, which was converted by Brahim Díaz. While Henry said he understood the frustration surrounding those moments, he insisted the reaction crossed a line.

Speaking on CBS Sports Golazo, the World Cup winner highlighted the disconnect between the elite technical quality of African players and the standard of officiating under the Confederation of African Football (CAF). He reserved his strongest criticism for the Teranga Lions’ decision to briefly abandon the pitch during the tense encounter.

Read Also: Infantino condemns chaotic conduct at AFCON 2025 final

“The reaction of the Senegalese team wanting to leave the field was wrong,” Henry said. “It’s not the image you want to give for African football or for the game globally.”

Morocco’s Organisation Earns Praise

Despite his criticism, the former Arsenal striker commended Morocco for their organisation of the tournament, particularly the infrastructure.

“The competition was outstanding. Morocco did a great job in terms of the infrastructure,” Henry said, before returning to his concerns over Senegal’s conduct in the final.

Henry Calls for Better Referee Training

Henry also addressed the wider issue of officiating, stressing that referees should not be blamed in isolation for controversial decisions. Instead, he placed responsibility on the systems that prepare them.

“I’m not blaming the referee; I blame the people who don’t train them,” he said, calling on CAF to improve refereeing standards.

He added that “the referees are not at the level of the show,” clarifying that his criticism was directed at the lack of adequate training needed to match the elite standard of modern international football.

Growing Pressure on CAF

Henry’s comments echo a growing sentiment among global pundits that African football’s rapid on-pitch growth must be matched by equal investment in officiating quality, technology and referee education. Despite the controversy, Senegal went on to lift their second AFCON title after Édouard Mendy saved the decisive penalty that sparked the protest.