The Confederation of African Football has handed down a series of sanctions following incidents during the 2025 AFCON final, targeting Senegal, Morocco, several players, and team officials. In a statement released Wednesday night, CAF cited violations of its Disciplinary Code, including breaches of fair play, loyalty, and integrity during and after the tense encounter at Stade Mohammed V in Rabat.
Senegal faced heavy penalties. Head coach Pape Bouna Thiaw was suspended for five official CAF matches for “unsporting conduct” and “bringing the game into disrepute” and fined $100,000. Two players, Iliman Cheikh Baroy Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr, received two-match suspensions each for misconduct toward match officials.
The Senegalese federation was fined $300,000 for the misbehavior of its supporters, which CAF said tarnished the integrity of the match, and another $300,000 for unsporting actions by players and technical staff. An additional $15,000 fine was levied for misconduct from five players who received yellow cards during the final.
Morocco was also penalized. Defender Achraf Hakimi received a two-match suspension, with one match suspended for a year, for unsporting behavior. Midfielder Ismaël Saibari was suspended for three matches and fined $100,000. CAF fined the Moroccan federation $200,000 for inappropriate actions by stadium ball boys and another $100,000 for players and staff interfering with VAR operations. A further $15,000 fine was imposed for the use of laser pointers by Moroccan supporters.
The final, held on January 18, 2026, ended in chaos. With the score tied at 0-0, Senegal had a goal disallowed for offside, shortly before VAR awarded Morocco a penalty in the eighth minute of added time. In protest, Senegal’s head coach led his team off the pitch, sparking chaotic scenes that required security intervention. The team eventually returned, and Morocco’s penalty was saved by Édouard Mendy, sending the match into extra time. Senegal’s Pape Gueye scored in the fourth minute of the first half of extra time to secure the title.
CAF also addressed a formal protest by Morocco regarding alleged violations of Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON regulations by Senegal. The Disciplinary Board rejected the claims, affirming that Senegal had not breached the competition rules.
The conduct during the final drew condemnation from both CAF and FIFA president Gianni Infantino, highlighting the need for strict adherence to fair play principles in African football.
