Sports
Tottenham’s Pape Matar Sarr Rushed to Hospital With Two Teammates
If Senegal’s 1-0 AFCON final victory over Morocco on Sunday night did not cause enough of a stir, a new conspiracy theory has since emerged after three players from the winning squad were absent from the full-time celebrations, only deepening the turmoil.
Following a controversial disallowed goal in the 92nd minute and a contentious penalty decision in the 98th minute of regular time that offered Morocco a route back into the match, Senegal were forced to dig deep to retain their maiden title from 2021. The chaos reached a palpable breaking point when head coach Pape Thiaw ordered his players off the pitch in protest, before they returned nearly 20 minutes later to watch Brahim Diaz attempt – and fail – to convert a Panenka from the penalty spot.
All of that ensured the 2025 AFCON final, held at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, will go down as one of, if not the most, chaotic finals in football history. But it appears what was captured by the TV cameras may only be the tip of the iceberg.
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Tottenham midfielder Pape Matar Sarr was one of three Senegal players taken to hospital following his nation’s controversial Africa Cup of Nations final triumph over Morocco, as reported by the Express. The Spurs star did not feature in Senegal’s victory over the tournament hosts, and it is understood he fell ill in Rabat before being taken to hospital shortly after the final had ended.
Sarr reportedly began feeling unwell at halftime. He was sent out to warm up when Lamine Camara picked up an injury just before the interval, but Camara ultimately continued. Sarr’s illness struck around 45 minutes after both Krepin Diatta and Ousseynou Niang were forced to withdraw during the warmup.
Footage that emerged after the match showed Diatta hunched over on the pitch during the warmup, while Niang had to be physically carried and assisted to the dressing room by his teammates. After the match, Camara confirmed the trio had been taken to hospital, saying: “They’re in the hospital, but I hope they’re doing well.”
A further update was later issued by Senegalese outlet Taggat, which reported: “The three players are doing well, according to the doctor, at Mohammed VI Hospital in Rabat. Ousseynou Niang will return to the hotel. Krepin Diatta and Pape Matar Sarr are still being kept at the hospital for further observations.”
Wild Conspiracy Theory Emerges Following Senegal Illnesses
After the match, Senegal full back Ismail Jakobs launched a phenomenal accusation claiming the illnesses in the Lions of Teranga’s camp may not have been a coincidence. “A lot happened before the match. I think a lot will come out afterwards,” he told reporters in the mixed zone.
“It wasn’t just this situation. Plenty happened before the match too. But you’ll find out. A lot happened to Krepin, Ousseynou, and Pape Matar Sarr at halftime.”
While any further information remains limited in what could become a very quickly developing story, Western Saharan translator and journalist Rashid dropped a wild bombshell on X, where he has 38,000 followers. He claimed (see the full post below):
“Scandal against Morocco: one of the players on the Senegal national team was the victim of poisoning before kickoff of the match.”
Everton midfielder Idrissa Gana Gueye also paid tribute to the players who were struck down by illness before the final, saying: “This victory is for them; we had that in mind.” Whether anything comes from the claims that the trio were poisoned remains to be seen.
Canada’s 6-0 demolition of Qatar at the World Cup was overshadowed by a horror injury for Ismael Kone, who suffered a serious leg break early in the second half in Vancouver.
Jesse Marsch’s side ran riot on the pitch, but all the post-match talk centred on the midfielder, who was stretchered off after a poor challenge from Assim Madibo. The Qatar defender was sent off following a VAR review and later apologised to Kone in the dressing room.
Marsch later admitted that those close enough “could hear the bone snap,” adding that “everybody’s shaken for him.”
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Marsch’s behaviour has caused a huge stir.
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Canada confirmed Kone has already undergone successful surgery to repair a lower limb fracture and is expected to make a full recovery. Marsch revealed the procedure took around an hour and a half and was carried out by three top surgeons, praising the medical team for giving him confidence the situation was being handled properly.
No firm return date has been set, but the former Watford man is expected to be sidelined for up to a year.
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It’s worth noting that quick recoveries from leg breaks aren’t unheard of in football. Francesco Totti famously fractured his fibula in February of 2006, only months before that summer’s World Cup, yet defied expectations to recover in time to play a role in Italy’s triumphant run to glory in Germany.
FIFA to pay Compensation to Ismael Kone’s Club
According to The Mirror, FIFA will pay compensation to Kone’s club, Sassuolo, under the Club Protection Programme. The scheme covers accidental injuries sustained while players are on international duty, provided the absence runs beyond 28 days, though illnesses aren’t included.
Kone’s fixed salary is reported to be £22,600 per week, working out at roughly £3,200 per day. With the first 28 days excluded and Kone facing around 150 days out, Sassuolo are likely to receive close to £480,000 in compensation.
The Serie A club issued their own statement, confirming the operation on his left leg was a complete success and that his rehabilitation would begin in the coming days, wishing him a speedy recovery.
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Canada will be looking to seal their qualification to the knockout stage, albeit without Kone, when they face Switzerland in Vancouver on the 24th of June.
Manchester United are now eyeing a move to sign a forward described as the ‘best striker in the world’, according to a report from Caught Offside.
The main focus for United over the last few weeks in the transfer window has been on targeting new midfielders.
A deal has reportedly been agreed to bring Atalanta midfielder Ederson to Old Trafford, with United set to pay in the region of £38m.
West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes is also a priority target, with some at the club believing that they will complete a deal to secure his signature.
Once United have solved their midfield situation, they could move on to strengthening in other areas of the pitch, including in attack.
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Man Utd Eyeing Striker Transfer Move
According to a report from Caught Offside, Manchester United are interested in signing Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen in the summer transfer window.
Osimhen is described as a dream target for the Red Devils, but there are doubts over whether they will be able to complete a deal.
The 27-year-old, described as the best striker in the world, would cost a huge transfer fee, making him a difficult option for the Manchester club.
United do have other names on their shortlist as they look to bring in a new centre forward, but Osimhen does appear to be a priority if they can get a deal over the line.
The Nigerian forward is currently plying his trade with Galatasaray, where he scored 15 goals in the league and seven in the Champions League last season.
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England World Cup Quiz
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Man Utd Need Experienced Striker
Bringing in a striker of Osimhen’s calibre and experience would be a smart move for Manchester United in the summer transfer window.
At 27, Osimhen is in his prime years, and he could be the ideal player for Benjamin Sesko to learn from and develop alongside.
The Slovenian forward didn’t cement himself as a guaranteed starter for United last season, and considering he’s still young, he could do with an experienced player alongside him.
If United can somehow get a deal over the line for Osimhen for a reasonable fee, it would be a phenomenal coup for the Red Devils.
Scotland’s World Cup campaign suffered a setback as they were beaten 1-0 by Morocco in Boston, with Steve Clarke’s side struggling to find a way past the Africa Cup of Nations holders.
Ismael Saibari settled the contest inside the opening two minutes, lashing in what proved to be the only goal of the match and leaving Scotland chasing the game from start to finish.
Clarke’s men found it difficult to break down a well-organised Moroccan side and rarely threatened in front of goal, with clear-cut chances few and far between.
There was also drama in the box on more than one occasion, with Scottish fans believing they should have been awarded a penalty on more than one occasion. Those moments have since become the main talking point from the match, with the ITV panel left divided on whether Scotland should have had something to show for their efforts.
Christina Unkel Slams Missed VAR Call
McTominay drove into the Moroccan box before being tackled from behind by Neil El Aynaoui. VAR ruled that the midfielder had got a touch on the ball, though replays appeared to tell a different story. ITV referee analyst Christina Unkel was adamant a penalty should have been given, as quoted by The Mirror:
“The first thing you’re looking for as VAR is any touch on that ball and the answer is no.
“We saw that second replay there and exactly what I was looking for, there was no contact on that ball. There is a trip up from behind, contact on the left lower leg.
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“For this, I do think there is a missed incident from the VAR to recommend a penalty as well as the referee to not make a decision on penalty. I know this referee is calling a more physical game but it is a very clear penalty in my opinion.”
Fellow pundit Ally McCoist agreed. “I did say when I watched it second time there is a challenge on the left leg. But I did say I’m enjoying the referee allowing the game to go. However, Christina is right, he did get that one wrong.”
Roy Keane and Ange Postecoglou Disagree
Not everyone in the studio was convinced, though. Roy Keane felt McTominay went down too easily, saying:
“I don’t think it was a penalty. As simple as that. He was kind of looking to go down. I think he was looking to go down. There’s a difference.”
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Ange Postecoglou backed his fellow pundit’s view: “The Moroccan penalty gets his leg out, but I don’t think that’s enough to be a penalty. He does get across him, but not for a penalty, I think he was going down anyway.”
It wasn’t the only contentious moment of the match either. Early in the second half, John McGinn went down under a challenge from the same Moroccan defender after breaking into the box, but referee Ilgiz Tantashev again waved play on.
Scotland now face a tough task to reach the knockout stages, with Brazil up next in their final group game on the 24th of June.
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