Meanwhile, Thio’s media briefing was canceled after a riot broke out in the press room.

But in an interview with BeIN Sport, he admitted that he should not have ordered the team off the pitch.

“We disagree,” he said. “I don’t want to look back at all the events. I apologize for football.

“On reflection I brought them back (on the pitch) – you can react in the heat of the moment. We accept the referee’s mistakes.

“We shouldn’t have done it but it happened and now we apologize to the football community.”

Theo, 44, was initially furious with referee Ndala after he disallowed Crystal Palace striker Ismaila Sarr’s close-range effort.

His shot was canceled out when Abdoulaye Seck fouled Achraf Hakimi in the attack.

And the penalty decisions exacerbated those sentiments. Several Senegalese players left the pitch at Thio’s request, while some of their supporters threw objects and tried to enter the pitch.

Diaz, who was substituted after Gueye’s goal, was crestfallen as Morocco missed out on a chance to win their first African Cup of Nations title since 1976.

After the game, Mane said: “Football is a very special thing and the whole world is paying attention, so we must establish a good image for football.

“I think it’s crazy not to play this game because the referee gave a penalty and we’re out of the game? I think that would be the worst thing, especially in African football. I’d rather lose than have this happen to our football.”

“I think it’s really bad. Football shouldn’t stop for 10 minutes, but what can we do? We have to live with what we did, but the good thing is we came back, we played and what happened happened.”

Former Chelsea goalkeeper Mendy, who now plays for Al Ahli in the Saudi Professional League, insists he is “proud” of the way Senegal returned to competition under Mane’s guidance and won a second Africa Cup of Nations title this decade.

“What did we say to each other? This is between us,” Mendy said.

“We did it together, we came back together, and that’s all that matters. We can be proud.”

Winner Gueye added: “We had a feeling of unfairness. Just before the penalty we thought we should have scored but the referee didn’t use VAR.

“Sadio (Mane) told us to come back and we mobilized again. Then Edouard (Mendy) made the save and we stayed focused, scored and won the game.”