Senegal goalkeeper Yehvanne Diouf has dismissed the controversy surrounding the so-called “towels incident” during Senegal’s encounter with Morocco, insisting the situation was blown out of proportion.
Speaking after the match, the Senegal international explained that the towels placed near his goal had no special significance and were simply part of his normal routine.
Read Also: Mané Reveals What He Told Teammates Before Senegal Completed AFCON Triumph
“For me, they were just towels, nothing more — to dry my gloves or face. Maybe the issue took on a more folkloric dimension than it deserved,” Diouf said.
The goalkeeper revealed his surprise at the reaction from stadium officials, noting that similar situations had occurred in previous matches without incident.
“I was just as surprised as you when I saw them trying to take them. Because we had seen this before with Nigeria — when the goalkeeper places towels, the stadium staff come to take them. I don’t know why they did that,” he added.
Diouf, however, described the attempt to remove the towels as inappropriate, stressing that his priority was to keep the focus on the game rather than escalate the situation.
“Honestly, it wasn’t appropriate behavior on their part. As for me, I tried to handle the situation calmly and in the best possible way, because we need Mendy and the players to be 100% focused on the pitch. That’s why I reacted the way I did.”
The incident sparked debate among fans and pundits, but Diouf’s comments suggest there was no deeper meaning behind it, with the Senegal shot-stopper keen to shift attention back to football matters on the pitch.
