The Confederation of African Football (CAF) Disciplinary Board has handed down multiple sanctions to the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF), the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF), and several players and officials following incidents during the 2025 African Cup of Nations final.
In a statement released on Wednesday night, CAF confirmed that the penalties were imposed for violations of the CAF Disciplinary Code, including breaches of fair play, loyalty, and integrity during and after the final match.
Sanctions Against Senegal
Senegalese head coach Pape Bouna Thiaw was suspended for five official CAF matches for “unsporting conduct” and “bringing the game into disrepute” and fined USD 100,000.
Player Iliman Cheikh Baroy Ndiaye was suspended for two official CAF matches for unsporting behaviour towards the referee.
Player Ismaila Sarr received a two-match suspension for similar misconduct.
The FSF was fined USD 300,000 for improper conduct by supporters, USD 300,000 for the unsporting behaviour of players and technical staff, and USD 15,000 for misconduct resulting from five players receiving cautions.
Sanctions Against Morocco
Defender Achraf Hakimi was suspended for two official CAF matches, with one match suspended for one year, for unsporting behaviour.
Midfielder Ismaël Saibari was suspended for three official CAF matches and fined USD 100,000.
The FRMF was fined USD 200,000 for the inappropriate conduct of stadium ball boys and USD 100,000 for players and technical staff invading the VAR review area and obstructing the referee.
An additional USD 15,000 fine was issued for Moroccan supporters using lasers during the match.
The final, played at Stade Mohammed V in Rabat on January 18, 2026, descended into chaos in the dying moments of regular time. With the score tied 0-0, Senegal had a goal disallowed for offside, and a VAR review awarded Morocco a penalty in the eighth minute of added time. In protest, Senegal’s head coach Pape Thiaw led his team off the pitch, prompting security intervention. After a delay, the team returned, and Morocco’s penalty was saved by goalkeeper Édouard Mendy, sending the match into extra time.
Senegal midfielder Pape Gueye scored in the fourth minute of the first half of extra time, securing Senegal’s AFCON 2025 title. Both CAF and FIFA president Gianni Infantino condemned the conduct during the match.
CAF also dismissed a protest by Morocco regarding alleged violations of Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON regulations by Senegal, confirming that the FSF had not breached the rules.
Elijah Adeyemi
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