CAF Sanctions Senegal, Morocco After Chaotic AFCON 2025 Final; Hakimi, Thiaw Suspended
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has handed down heavy sanctions to Senegal, Morocco, and several players and officials following disorderly scenes during and after the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final in Rabat.
In disciplinary decisions released late Wednesday, CAF said its Disciplinary Board found multiple breaches of its code, citing violations of fair play, loyalty and integrity that marred the closing stages of the tournament showpiece.
Senegal were hit with the stiffest penalties. Head coach Pape Bouna Thiaw was suspended for five CAF matches and fined $100,000 for conduct CAF described as unsporting and damaging to the image of the game. Two Senegalese players, Iliman Cheikh Baroy Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr, were each banned for two CAF matches for inappropriate behaviour toward match officials.
CAF also imposed several financial penalties on the Senegalese Football Federation. The body was fined $300,000 for crowd-related misconduct and a further $300,000 for the behaviour of its players and technical staff. An additional $15,000 fine was issued after five Senegal players were booked during the final.
Morocco were also punished, though less severely. Defender Achraf Hakimi received a two-match CAF suspension, with one of the bans suspended for a year, for unsporting conduct. Midfielder Ismaël Saibari was banned for three CAF matches and fined $100,000.
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation was fined $200,000 over the conduct of stadium ball boys during the final. CAF further issued a $100,000 fine for the actions of Moroccan players and officials who entered the VAR review area and interfered with the referee, as well as a $15,000 sanction for the use of laser devices by home supporters.
The AFCON final, played on January 18 at the Stade Mohammed V, spiralled into controversy late in regulation time. With the score still goalless, Senegal had a goal ruled out for offside before VAR awarded Morocco a penalty deep into stoppage time. Protesting the decision, Thiaw led his team off the pitch, triggering a lengthy stoppage and security intervention.
Play eventually resumed, Morocco missed the penalty, and the match went to extra time, where Pape Gueye’s goal secured Senegal’s title.
CAF also dismissed a formal protest filed by Morocco alleging regulatory breaches by Senegal, ruling that the claims did not meet the requirements of AFCON regulations. Both CAF and FIFA president Gianni Infantino had earlier condemned the conduct that overshadowed the final.