Morocco midfielder Brahim Diaz has apologised for his penalty miss in the closing stages of Sunday’s chaotic Africa Cup of Nations final.
Diaz missed an injury-time penalty that would have handed Morocco the title and Senegal went on to win in extra time.
The decision from referee Jean Jacques Ndala to award tournament hosts Morocco a spot-kick in the 98th-minute, not long after he had ruled out a Senegal goal for a seemingly innocuous challenge from Abdoulaye Seck on Achraf Hakimi, incensed the Lions of Teranga to the extent they left the field in protest.
After a 17-minute hold-up, Senegal finally returned only for a forlorn-looking Diaz to chip a Panenka penalty straight into Edouard Mendy’s hands. Senegal went on to win the title in extra-time thanks to Pape Gueye’s stunning strike.
Real Madrid midfielder Diaz said: “My soul hurts. I dreamed of this title, I failed and I take full responsibility.
“I apologise from the bottom of my heart. It will be hard for me to recover, because this wound doesn’t heal easily – but I will try.”
The Confederation of African Football has announced an investigation into the “unacceptable behaviour of some players and officials” that marred the end of the AFCON final in Rabat.