CAF Sanctions Senegal, Morocco Over AFCON Final Chaos

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) Disciplinary Board has imposed a series 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 rulings 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.” He was also fined USD 100,000.

Senegalese forward Iliman Cheikh Baroy Ndiaye was suspended for two official CAF matches for unsporting behaviour towards the referee, while winger Ismaila Sarr received a similar two-match suspension for the same offence.

CAF further fined the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football USD 300,000 for the improper conduct of its supporters, which brought the game into disrepute. An additional USD 300,000 fine was imposed for the unsporting conduct of Senegalese players and technical staff, in violation of the principles of fair play, loyalty and integrity. The FSF was also fined USD 15,000 after five of its players received cautions during the match.

With regard to Morocco, CAF suspended national team defender Achraf Hakimi for two official CAF matches, with one match suspended for one year from the date of the decision, for unsporting behaviour. Midfielder Ismaël Saibari was handed a three-match suspension and fined USD 100,000 for unsporting conduct.

The Moroccan federation was also fined USD 100,000 for the improper conduct of its players and technical staff, who invaded the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review area and obstructed the referee’s work. An additional fine of USD 15,000 was imposed for the use of lasers by Moroccan supporters during the match.

The final, held at the Stade Mohammed V in Rabat on January 18, 2026, descended into chaos in the closing stages of regulation time. With the score level at 0-0, a Senegal goal was ruled offside before a subsequent VAR review awarded host nation Morocco a penalty in the eighth minute of added time.

In protest, Senegal’s head coach led his players off the pitch, prompting disorder that required security intervention. After a delay, the Senegalese team returned to the field, and Morocco’s penalty was saved by goalkeeper Édouard Mendy, forcing the match into extra time. Senegal eventually secured the title when Pape Gueye scored the decisive goal in the first half of extra time.

Both CAF and FIFA President Gianni Infantino condemned the incidents at the time.

Meanwhile, CAF also ruled on a protest filed by the FRMF over alleged violations of Articles 82 and 84 of the Africa Cup of Nations regulations by the FSF. The CAF Disciplinary Board rejected the protest, dismissing claims of regulatory breaches by the Senegalese federation.