By By Micheal Chukwuebuka
THE Confederation of African Football (CAF) has imposed severe sanctions on the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF), the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF), as well as several players and officials, following incidents that overshadowed the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final in Rabat.
In a statement published on its official website on Wednesday night, CAF said the penalties were issued by its Disciplinary Board for breaches of the CAF Disciplinary Code, including violations of the principles of fair play, loyalty and integrity, which occurred during and after the final match.
Senegal head coach, Pape Bouna Thiaw, was suspended for five official CAF matches for what CAF described as unsporting conduct and bringing the game into disrepute. He was also fined USD 100,000.
Two Senegalese players, Iliman Cheikh Baroy Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr, were each handed two-match suspensions for unsporting behaviour towards the match officials.
The Senegalese Football Federation was also fined heavily for multiple offences. CAF imposed a USD 300,000 fine on the FSF for the improper conduct of its supporters, which it said brought the game into disrepute. An additional USD 300,000 fine was issued for the unsporting conduct of Senegal’s players and technical staff. CAF further fined the federation USD 15,000 after five Senegalese players were cautioned during the match.
Morocco were also sanctioned over their role in the disturbances. Defender Achraf Hakimi received a two-match suspension for unsporting behaviour, with one match suspended for a period of one year from the date of the decision. Midfielder Ismaël Saibari was banned for three official CAF matches and fined USD 100,000 for unsporting conduct.
The Moroccan Football Federation was fined USD 200,000 for the inappropriate behaviour of stadium ball boys during the final, while a further USD 100,000 fine was imposed for the conduct of Moroccan players and technical staff, who invaded the VAR review area and obstructed the referee’s work. CAF also issued a USD 15,000 fine against the FRMF for the use of laser pointers by supporters during the match.
The AFCON final, played at the Stade Mohammed V in Rabat on 18 January 2026, descended into chaos in the closing stages of regulation time. With the score level at 0–0, Senegal had a goal disallowed for offside. Shortly afterwards, following a VAR review, host nation Morocco were awarded a penalty in the eighth minute of added time.
Angered by the decision, Senegal coach Pape Thiaw led his players off the pitch in protest, triggering chaotic scenes that required security intervention. After a delay, the Senegalese team returned to the field. Morocco’s penalty was saved by goalkeeper Édouard Mendy, forcing the match into extra time, where Senegal eventually secured victory through Pape Gueye’s goal in the fourth minute of the first half of extra time to claim the AFCON title.
CAF confirmed that both its President and FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, publicly condemned the conduct witnessed during the final.
The governing body also ruled on a protest filed by the FRMF, which alleged violations of Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON regulations by the FSF. CAF said the Disciplinary Board rejected the protest and confirmed that it had no bearing on the outcome of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 final, thereby reaffirming Senegal as champions.
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