By Eteteonline
Following the chaotic AFCON 2025 final, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Disciplinary Board punished Senegal and Morocco with fines, suspensions, and important disciplinary rulings, according to a statement released on Wednesday, January 28, 2026.
Senegal’s quick exit off the field in protest of a late VAR-awarded penalty for Morocco, followed by tumultuous scenes involving fans, players, and officials, marked the end of the 2025 AFCON final in Rabat. Strict sanctions were imposed at the end of CAF’s disciplinary assessment in order to ensure fair play and discourage such behaviour in future games.
Senegal was subject to the following penalties – both the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF) and the team. These penalties are in line with CAF’s assessment that the contest’s integrity was compromised by several infractions of the disciplinary code, including Senegal’s walk-off protest and behaviour toward match officials.
- Pape Bouna Thiaw (Head Coach) – 5-match suspension from official CAF competitions for unsporting conduct and bringing the game into disrepute and fined USD 100,000.
- Iliman Ndiaye & Ismaila Sarr (Players) – each player is suspended for 2 official CAF matches for unsporting behaviour toward the referee during the final.
- Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF) fines:
- USD 300,000 – improper conduct of supporters.
- USD 300,000 – unsporting conduct by players & technical staff
- USD 15,000 – team misconduct (5 yellow cards)
- Total FSF fine: approximately USD 615,000
Additionally, Morocco was subject to the following punishments by CAF – both the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) and the team.
The towel incident, meddling close to the VAR review area, and fan misconduct are examples of unsporting behavior and violations of fair play and integrity during the final.
- Achraf Hakimi (Player)
- 2-match suspension from CAF competitions. One of those matches is suspended on probation for one year.
- Ismaël Saibari (Player) – 3-match suspension from CAF matches and fine USD 100,000
- Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) fines:
- USD 200,000 – inappropriate behaviour by stadium ball boys.
- USD 100,000 – improper conduct by players & staff invading the VAR area and obstructing refereeing. USD 15,000 – use of lasers by supporters.
- Total FRMF fine: approximately USD 315,000
In other significant rulings, the CAF maintained the first match outcome (Senegal won 1-0 after extra time) and dismissed Morocco’s challenge against Senegal’s tactics.
World Cup eligibility and bans outside of CAF events are unaffected by the sanctions, which are exclusive to CAF competitions.
The punishments end a tumultuous phase of an otherwise unforgettable AFCON competition.
Add comment