CAF Hands Down Severe Punishments Following Turbulent AFCON Championship Match
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has delivered a series of significant disciplinary measures in response to the chaotic events that marred the Africa Cup of Nations final between Senegal and Morocco. The governing body announced on Wednesday that multiple players, coaches, and football federations would face substantial consequences for their actions during the championship decider.
Senegal's Coaching Staff and Players Face Multiple Sanctions
Senegal's head coach, Pape Thiaw, has received the most severe individual punishment with a five-match ban from all CAF competitions. The disciplinary committee found Thiaw guilty of unsporting conduct and bringing the game into disrepute during the final match played in Rabat on January 18th. The match ultimately saw Senegal claim victory with a 1-0 scoreline after extra time, securing their second AFCON title.
Additional sanctions targeted Senegalese players Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr, both of whom compete in the English Premier League. These forwards received two-match bans for their unsporting behaviour towards the referee during the heated contest. The Senegal Football Federation (FSF) itself was hit with a substantial financial penalty of $615,000 for various violations committed by their technical staff and players during the championship match.
Moroccan Football Federation and Players Also Penalized
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) faced multiple fines totaling $315,000 for several infractions that occurred during the final. These penalties included:
- A $200,000 fine for the inappropriate behaviour of stadium ball boys
- A $100,000 penalty for players and technical staff who invaded the VAR review area and obstructed the work of Congolese match officials
- An additional $15,000 sanction after Moroccan supporters used laser pointers to distract Senegalese players
Individual Moroccan players also received suspensions, with forward Ismael Saibari handed a three-match ban and a $100,000 fine, while captain and defender Achraf Hakimi received a two-match suspension for unsporting behaviour.
Controversial Match Moments That Sparked the Disciplinary Action
The AFCON final descended into controversy during the latter stages of regular time when a potential winning goal by Ismaila Sarr was disallowed. The referee ruled that Sarr had committed a foul against 2025 African Player of the Year Achraf Hakimi in the buildup to the would-be goal.
Further drama unfolded when Morocco was awarded a penalty after star forward Brahim Diaz was fouled in the area. This decision triggered furious protests from the Senegalese team, with television coverage showing coach Pape Thiaw making gestures that were widely interpreted as instructing his players to leave the field.
Most of the Senegalese squad indeed walked off toward the change rooms, though star forward Sadio Mane remained on the pitch and eventually persuaded his teammates to return so the match could continue. The delayed penalty was ultimately missed by Brahim Diaz, whose weak shot was saved by Senegalese goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.
The match proceeded to extra time, where midfielder Pape Gueye scored the decisive goal that secured Senegal's continental championship victory. The CAF disciplinary committee emphasized that the various infractions violated fundamental principles of the CAF disciplinary code, including fair play, loyalty, and integrity that should govern all football competitions.
