Despite a campaign in which he struck 21 goals across all competitions and helped Palace win the Uefa Conference League, Sarr could be forgiven for thinking fate has singled him out.
With the Afcon final against hosts Morocco still goalless as second-half stoppage time began, he thought he had headed Senegal in front from a corner, only for referee Jean-Jacques Ndala to disallow it, having already whistled for a foul. It looked a soft call, and Senegal were furious.
Moments later, with the clock almost expired, Morocco were awarded a lifeline. After checking the pitchside monitor following another corner, Ndala ruled that Brahim Diaz had been dragged down by full-back El Hadji Malick Diouf.
What followed at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium descended into turmoil, damaging the reputation of African football. As I tried to file my report, a BBC colleague kept pointing out the unrest: fans clashing, injured stewards being carried off, and Senegal’s players leaving the field.
After a long delay—during which Sadio Mane helped persuade his teammates to return—Diaz missed his penalty in the 24th minute of added time, attempting a Panenka that Edouard Mendy comfortably gathered.
Senegal would go on to win 1-0 in extra time, only to have the title stripped by a Confederation of African Football appeal board two months later. The dispute is now with the Court of Arbitration for Sport, with Senegal pledging a “crusade” to overturn the ruling.