Regis Le Bris on Chemsdine Talbi and Habib Diarra after bizarre AFCON final forfeit | OneFootball

Regis Le Bris said the African Cup of Nations final ruling has left Chemsdine Talbi and Habib Diarra in a strange place, with both Sunderland players affected this week.

Diarra’s Senegal and Talbi’s Morocco were level in stoppage time when referee Jean Jacques Ndala awarded Morocco a penalty after a VAR review on a challenge on Brahim Diaz. Senegal’s anger saw head coach Pape Thiaw lead his players off for about 17 minutes. They returned, Diaz’s kick was saved by Edouard Mendy and full time was signalled, before Senegal scored in extra time through Pape Gueye, seemingly clinching the title.

Earlier this week the CAF appeals board ruled that Senegal breached tournament regulations, so the match must be recorded as a forfeit, with the official result 3-0 to Morocco. As a consequence, Diarra has technically been stripped of his title, and Senegalese authorities have vowed to appeal.

Le Bris felt neither player overreacted and suggested footballers believe results should be settled on the pitch, not elsewhere. He called the whole episode unusual for both.

Looking ahead, he said the international break, giving Sunderland three weeks between Newcastle United on Sunday and Tottenham Hotspur, could help his side regroup. He warned the squad is small and inexperienced and that four to eight players might be injured. He added they cannot know what further issues the break might bring.

Source: Sunderland Echo