CAF Hands Heavy Sanctions to Senegal and Morocco After AFCON Final Chaos

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has imposed sweeping disciplinary sanctions on both the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF) and the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) following incidents that marred the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 Final.

In a strongly worded statement released by CAF, the Disciplinary Board said its decisions were taken to protect the principles of fair play, integrity and respect for the game after what it described as a series of unsporting and improper behaviours involving players, officials and supporters from both nations.

Severe Punishments for Senegal

Senegal were hit with the heaviest sanctions, headlined by a five-match suspension for national team head coach Pape Bouna Thiaw. CAF ruled that Thiaw’s conduct breached the Disciplinary Code’s principles of fair play and integrity and brought the game into disrepute. He was also fined USD 100,000.

On the playing side, Iliman Cheikh Baroy Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr were each suspended for two official CAF matches for unsporting behaviour towards the referee.

The FSF itself was also handed a series of heavy financial penalties. CAF fined the Senegalese federation USD 300,000 for the improper conduct of its supporters and another USD 300,000 for the unsporting behaviour of its players and technical staff, both of which were judged to have brought the game into disrepute. An additional USD 15,000 fine was imposed for team misconduct after five Senegalese players received cautions in the match.

Morocco Also Sanctioned

Morocco did not escape punishment. Star defender Achraf Hakimi was suspended for two official CAF matches, although one of those suspensions has been suspended for one year from the date of the decision. Midfielder Ismaël Saibari received a three-match suspension for unsporting behaviour and was also fined USD 100,000.

The FRMF was fined USD 200,000 for the inappropriate behaviour of the stadium’s ball boys during the final, while a further USD 100,000 fine was imposed for the improper conduct of Morocco’s players and technical staff, who invaded the VAR review area and obstructed the referee’s work. seen as a clear violation of Articles 82 and 83 of the CAF Disciplinary Code. CAF also fined the Moroccan federation USD 15,000 for the use of lasers by supporters inside the stadium.

Morocco’s Protest Rejected

CAF also addressed the protest lodged by the FRMF, which had accused Senegal of violating Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON regulations. The Disciplinary Board rejected the protest in its entirety, confirming that the result of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 Final will stand.

In its conclusion, CAF stressed that the sanctions serve as a strong reminder that all teams, officials and supporters must uphold the values of respect, discipline and integrity, especially on the continent’s biggest football stage.