The Confederation of African Football (CAF) Disciplinary Board has imposed a raft of 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 marred the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final. In a statement published on its website on Wednesday night, CAF said the sanctions were handed down for violations of the CAF Disciplinary Code, including breaches of the principles of fair play, loyalty and integrity, during and after the final match. As part of the decisions against Senegal, CAF suspended the head coach of the Senegalese national team, Pape Bouna Thiaw, for five official CAF matches for “unsporting conduct” and for “bringing the game into disrepute.” The disciplinary body also imposed a fine of 100,000 US dollars on the coach. CAF further sanctioned two Senegalese players, suspending Iliman Cheikh Baroy Ndiaye for two official CAF matches for unsporting behaviour towards the referee. Ismaila Sarr was similarly suspended for two official CAF matches for misconduct directed at the match officials. The Senegalese Football Federation was hit with multiple fines. CAF fined the FSF 300,000 dollars for the improper conduct of its supporters, which it said brought the game into disrepute, and an additional 300,000 dollars for the unsporting conduct of its players and technical staff. A further fine of 15,000 dollars was imposed after five Senegalese players received cautions during the match. With regard to Morocco, CAF suspended national team defender Achraf Hakimi for two official CAF matches, with one of the matches suspended for a probationary period of one year from the date of the decision, for unsporting behaviour. ALSO READ: CAF Sanctions Algeria Over Quarterfinal Incidents Against Nigeria Midfielder Ismaël Saibari was handed a three-match suspension and fined 100,000 dollars for unsporting conduct. CAF also sanctioned the Moroccan Football Federation, fining the FRMF 200,000 dollars for the inappropriate behaviour of stadium ball boys during the final. An additional fine of 100,000 dollars was imposed for the improper conduct of Moroccan players and technical staff, who invaded the VAR review area and obstructed the referee’s work. Moroccan supporters were also cited, with a fine of 15,000 dollars issued for the use of laser pointers during the match. The AFCON final, held at the Stade Mohammed V in Rabat on January 18, 2026, descended into chaos in the closing moments of regulation time. With the score tied at 0–0, Senegal had a goal disallowed for offside before a VAR review awarded host nation Morocco a penalty deep into stoppage time. In protest, Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw led his players off the pitch, triggering tense scenes that required security intervention. After a delay, the Senegalese team returned to the field. Morocco’s penalty was later saved by goalkeeper Édouard Mendy, forcing the match into extra time. Senegal eventually claimed the title when midfielder Pape Gueye scored the winning goal in the fourth minute of the first half of extra time. Both CAF and FIFA President Gianni Infantino had condemned the conduct that followed the controversial officiating decisions. Meanwhile, CAF also ruled on a protest filed by the FRMF concerning alleged violations of Articles 82 and 84 of the Africa Cup of Nations regulations by the FSF. The Disciplinary Board rejected the protest, dismissing Morocco’s claims related to the TotalEnergies AFCON Morocco 2025 final.
CAF sanctions Senegal, Morocco over misconduct at AFCON 2025 final
