The Confederation of African Football (CAF) Disciplinary Board has handed down multiple sanctions to the Senegalese and Moroccan football federations, as well as several players and officials, following incidents that marred the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
In a statement published on its official website on Wednesday night, CAF said the penalties were imposed for breaches of its Disciplinary Code, including violations of the principles of fair play, loyalty and integrity during and after the final match.
As part of the sanctions against Senegal, CAF suspended the head coach of the national team, Pape Bouna Thiaw, for five official CAF matches for unsporting conduct and for bringing the game into disrepute. Thiaw was also fined $100,000.
Two Senegalese players were also sanctioned. Iliman Cheikh Baroy Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr were each suspended for two official CAF matches for unsporting behaviour towards the referee.
CAF further fined the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF) a total of $615,000. This includes a $300,000 fine for the improper conduct of its supporters, another $300,000 for the unsporting conduct of its players and technical staff, and $15,000 for misconduct following the issuance of cautions to five players during the match.
With respect to Morocco, CAF suspended defender Achraf Hakimi for two official CAF matches, with one of the matches suspended for a probationary period of one year, due to unsporting behaviour. Midfielder Ismaël Saibari was handed a three-match suspension and fined $100,000 for similar offences.
The Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) was fined $200,000 for the inappropriate behaviour of stadium ball boys during the final. CAF also imposed a $100,000 fine on the federation for the improper conduct of players and technical staff who invaded the VAR review area and obstructed the referee’s duties. An additional $15,000 fine was issued for the use of lasers by Moroccan supporters.
The final, played at the Stade Mohammed V in Rabat on January 18, 2026, descended into chaos late in regulation time. With the score goalless, Senegal had a goal ruled out for offside before a VAR review awarded host nation Morocco a penalty in the eighth minute of added time.
In protest, Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw led his players off the pitch, prompting a delay and the intervention of security personnel. The team eventually returned to the field, and Morocco’s penalty was saved by goalkeeper Édouard Mendy, forcing the match into extra time.
Senegal went on to win the final after Pape Gueye scored the decisive goal in the fourth minute of the first half of extra time, securing the AFCON title. Both CAF and FIFA President Gianni Infantino later condemned the conduct witnessed during the match.
Meanwhile, CAF also ruled on a protest filed by the Moroccan federation over alleged violations of Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON regulations by Senegal. The Disciplinary Board dismissed the protest, stating that the claims were unfounded.
