Henry draws a line as Carragher reignites Afcon refereeing storm

A final decided by controversy, not celebration

Senegal defended their Africa Cup of Nations title with a 1,0 victory over Morocco on Sunday night, but the match’s conclusion quickly overshadowed the achievement. The decisive moment came when Morocco were awarded a stoppage time penalty, which Brahim Diaz failed to convert.

Only minutes earlier, Senegal had seen a goal ruled out, a decision that triggered furious protests from players and staff. According to GiveMeSport’s match report, head coach Pape Thiaw ordered his players to leave the pitch in response, bringing the final to a halt for close to 20 minutes.

Captain Sadio Mane later emerged from the tunnel to persuade his teammates to return, allowing the match to be completed amid a highly charged atmosphere.

Refereeing debate takes center stage

Discussion after the final quickly shifted away from Senegal’s win and toward the officiating. Some commentators framed the match as damaging to the tournament’s reputation, while others argued the reaction ignored broader issues around training and resources for referees.

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According to GiveMeSport, debate also centered on whether disciplinary action could follow for both teams after the scenes late in the game. The focus on refereeing echoed familiar criticism that has followed the tournament in past editions.

Studio comments spark familiar backlash

While appearing on CBS Sports Golazo, Thierry Henry addressed the controversy by acknowledging shortcomings in officiating standards. “The referees were not at the level of the show,” Henry said, before emphasizing that responsibility lay with development systems rather than individual officials.

Jamie Carragher then raised a question that immediately drew criticism. “You mention about the referees there, could there not be a case where they actually bring some of the top European referees in to oversee AFCON matches?” he asked.

Henry rejected the idea without hesitation. “You have to give African referees a chance. It is an African tournament, it has to have African referees,” he responded.

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Henry reframes the issue beyond blame

Henry went on to argue that the solution lay in investment rather than replacement. “I'm talking about sending someone to put them to a certain level, because you can see there are more and more mistakes all of the time,” he said. He added that criticism often misses the point, noting that the tournament itself and the players are too often blamed for structural problems.

According to CBS Sports Golazo, Henry’s comments were aimed at separating legitimate concerns over refereeing from broader judgments about the value or legitimacy of the competition.

Online reaction reflects broader Afcon narrative

Reaction on social media was swift. Fans praised Henry for defending African officials, while Carragher’s remarks were widely criticized as dismissive. Supporters also pointed out that similar suggestions are rarely made when controversial decisions occur at major European tournaments.

The response reflected a wider frustration with how African football is discussed in global media, particularly when high profile pundits revisit arguments that many believe have already been settled.

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Sources: GiveMeSport, CBS Sports Golazo

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