Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has imposed a series of disciplinary and financial sanctions on both Senegal and Morocco following chaotic scenes during the Africa Cup of Nations final in Rabat, while formally rejecting a protest submitted by the Moroccan Football Federation seeking to overturn the result.
In a statement released early Thursday, CAF’s Disciplinary Committee confirmed that it had dismissed Morocco’s complaint, which alleged violations by the Senegalese Football Federation of Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON regulations during the final of the Morocco 2025 edition.
The committee upheld the match result and instead moved to punish misconduct by players, coaching staff, federations, and supporters from both sides.
Senegal Coach and Players Handed Suspensions
CAF suspended Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw for five official CAF matches due to what it described as “unsporting conduct” that violated principles of fair play, integrity, and brought the game into disrepute. Thiaw was also fined $100,000.
Senegalese players Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaïla Sarr were each banned for two CAF matches for unsporting behavior toward the match officials.
In addition, the Senegalese Football Federation was fined a total of $600,000: $300,000 for the “unacceptable conduct” of its supporters, and another $300,000 for the unsporting behavior of its players and technical staff, which CAF said damaged the image of the game.
CAF clarified that all suspensions imposed on Senegal’s coach and players apply only to CAF-organised competitions and will not affect upcoming FIFA World Cup matches. The bans are expected to be enforced during the qualifiers for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled to begin during the September international window.
Morocco Captain Hakimi and Sabiri Also Punished
On the Moroccan side, captain Achraf Hakimi was handed a two-match suspension for unsporting conduct, with one match suspended for a probationary period of one year. The punishment relates to an incident in which Moroccan players were involved in hiding towels belonging to Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy.
Midfielder Ismaïl Sabiri received a three-match suspension for unsporting behavior and was fined $100,000.
CAF also fined the Moroccan Football Federation $300,000 in total: $200,000 for inappropriate conduct by ball boys during the match, and $100,000 for the behavior of players and technical staff who entered the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review area and obstructed the referee’s work, in violation of disciplinary regulations.
Final Marred by Chaos On and Off the Pitch
The AFCON final, played on January 18 in Rabat, was marked by extended stoppages and disorder. The match was halted for nearly 15 minutes near the end of regulation time after Senegal players threatened to walk off the pitch following the disallowing of a goal, moments before a penalty was awarded to Morocco.
Morocco’s Ibrahim Díaz missed the penalty, after which Senegal went on to score in extra time and secure the continental title.
The match was further overshadowed by crowd disturbances, with Senegalese fans attempting to breach the pitch, as well as confrontations involving Moroccan players and ball attendants. Tensions spilled into the stands and onto the field, creating one of the most controversial AFCON finals in recent memory.
Legal Proceedings Underway
The fallout has extended beyond football. Moroccan authorities confirmed on Thursday that 18 Senegalese supporters arrested in connection with crowd violence during the final are now facing trial on charges related to rioting and public disorder.
CAF’s decisions bring an official close to the disciplinary chapter of the turbulent final, while reinforcing the governing body’s insistence that sporting results will not be altered despite post-match protests.
