The Confederation of African Football (CAF) Disciplinary Board has announced significant penalties against the football federations of Senegal and Morocco, alongside several players and staff, following the chaotic 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final.
The sanctions, released on Wednesday night, address violations involving “breaches of the principles of fair play, loyalty and integrity, during and after the final match.”
Senegal’s head coach, Pape Bouna Thiaw, received a five-match suspension for “unsporting conduct” and “for bringing the game into disrepute.”
The statement noted: “Mr Pape Bouna Thiaw was also fined USD 100,000.”
Additional penalties for the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF) include:
-
“To suspend the Senegalese national team player, Mr Iliman Cheikh Baroy Ndiaye for two (2) official CAF matches, for his unsporting behaviour towards the referee.”
-
“To suspend Senegalese national team player, Mr Ismaila Sarr for two (2) official CAF matches for his unsporting behaviour towards the referee.”
-
“To fine the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF), USD 300,000 for the improper conduct of its supporters, which brought the game into disrepute in violation of the CAF Disciplinary Code principles of fair play and integrity.”
-
“To fine the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF), USD 300,000 for the unsporting conduct of their players and technical staff in violation of the CAF Disciplinary Code principles of fair play, loyalty and integrity. The unsporting conduct of their players and the technical staff also brought the game into disrepute.”
-
“To fine the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF), USD 15,000 for the misconduct of its national team, due to five (5) of its players having received cautions.”
The Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) and its players were also penalized. Defender Achraf Hakimi was handed a two-match ban (with one match suspended for a year), while Ismaël Saibari was suspended for three games and fined $100,000.
The FRMF faces a $200,000 fine for the “inappropriate behaviour of stadium ball boys,” a $100,000 fine for staff and players who “invaded the VAR review area and obstructed the referee’s work,” and $15,000 for the use of lasers by fans.
The final at Stade Mohammed V on January 18, 2026, turned volatile when Senegal’s coach led a pitch protest after a controversial VAR-awarded penalty to Morocco in stoppage time.
Though the match resumed and Senegal eventually won 1–0 in extra time, the conduct was widely condemned.
CAF also addressed a legal challenge from Morocco, stating: “The CAF Disciplinary Board rejected the protest lodged by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football regarding alleged violations by the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football of Articles 82 and 84 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations, relating to the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 Final.”
Join Informant Online WhatsApp Channel With Link Below: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaihFajBadmT29ufud2
