The Confederation of African Football has imposed heavy sanctions on Senegal and Morocco, including suspensions for key players and officials, following misconduct during and after the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final.
CAF announced the decisions late Wednesday in a statement published on its official website, saying the sanctions followed violations of its Disciplinary Code relating to fair play, loyalty and integrity.
The AFCON final, played on January 18, 2026, at the Stade Mohammed V in Rabat, was marred by protests, pitch invasions and confrontations involving players, officials and supporters of both teams.
As part of the disciplinary measures, Senegal head coach Pape Bouna Thiaw was suspended for five CAF matches and fined $100,000 for unsporting conduct.
“Mr Pape Bouna Thiaw is suspended for five official CAF matches for unsporting conduct and for bringing the game into disrepute,” CAF said.
Two Senegalese players, Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr, were each handed two-match suspensions for unsporting behaviour toward match officials.
CAF also fined the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football a total of $615,000, including penalties for the conduct of its supporters, players and technical staff, as well as for multiple cautions received during the match.
“The unsporting conduct of the players and technical staff brought the game into disrepute,” the statement noted.
On the Moroccan side, defender Achraf Hakimi was suspended for two CAF matches, with one of the matches suspended for a year, following his actions during the final.
Midfielder Ismaël Saibari received a three-match suspension and a $100,000 fine for unsporting behaviour.
CAF also fined the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football $200,000 for the conduct of stadium ball boys and an additional $100,000 after players and officials reportedly invaded the Video Assistant Referee area, disrupting the referee’s work. Moroccan supporters were further sanctioned with a $15,000 fine for the use of laser pointers.
The final descended into chaos late in regulation time after a Senegal goal was ruled offside and a controversial VAR decision awarded Morocco a penalty in stoppage time.
In protest, Senegal’s coach led his players off the pitch before they were persuaded to return.
Morocco’s penalty was later saved by Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy, forcing the match into extra time, where Pape Gueye scored the decisive goal to hand Senegal the AFCON title.
CAF also dismissed a protest filed by the Moroccan federation alleging regulatory breaches by Senegal.
“The Disciplinary Board rejected the protest lodged by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football concerning alleged violations of Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON regulations,” CAF said.
Both CAF and FIFA President Gianni Infantino had earlier condemned the conduct witnessed during the final, describing it as damaging to the image of African football.
