Bruno Derrien has sounded off on the referee’s failure in the controversial ending of the AFCON 2026 final, calling out official Jean-Jacques Ndala for key decisions that shaped the match’s climax.
Derrien’s comments add to growing criticism over officiating standards at this year’s Africa Cup of Nations, particularly in the title game between Senegal and Morocco.
The former referee was especially critical of how one crucial decision was handled in stoppage time, arguing that better refereeing could have altered the match’s outcome.
Bruno Derrien slams referee Jean-Jacques Ndala’s key call
Derrien did not hold back when reflecting on the pivotal moment in the final that involved the DR Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala.
“I think he blows the whistle too quickly. If he had let play continue without sanctioning that foul, the goal would probably have been checked by VAR and likely validated,” Derrien said.
Jean-Jacques Ndala, a FIFA-listed referee who has officiated at multiple AFCON tournaments, including the final in Rabat, found himself at the center of controversy for disallowing what appeared to be a legitimate Senegalese goal late in the game and then awarding a late penalty that further inflamed tensions.
That penalty decision and its context sparked significant unrest, with Senegal’s coach briefly withdrawing his team from the pitch in protest before play resumed, and widespread debate over the referee’s application of the laws of the game.
AFCON refereeing under scrutiny after chaotic final
The Africa Cup of Nations has seen refereeing quality questioned at multiple stages of the tournament, with fans, pundits, and officials debating the consistency of key decisions from group games through to the final.
Critics have pointed to disputed penalties, offside calls, and VAR interventions that influenced knockout matches and fueled perceptions of inconsistency.
The final itself, marked by a disallowed late goal and a contentious penalty, brought those concerns into sharp focus, igniting debates over training, VAR protocols, and broader referee accountability.
CAF and FIFA have since faced pressure to review officiating standards and improve referee support mechanisms as African football’s premier competition prepares for future editions.
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