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The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has imposed a series of suspensions and fines on the Senegal Football Federation, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), and several players and officials following incidents during the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 final.
CAF said in a statement on Wednesday that the sanctions relate to conduct that violated “the CAF Disciplinary Code principles of fair play and integrity” and acts that “brought the game into disrepute.”
“CAF Disciplinary Board imposed sanctions on the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF), the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) and certain players and officials for the incidents during the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 Final, which violated the CAF Disciplinary Code,” the statement read.
Senegal sanctions
CAF suspended Senegal head coach Pape Bouna Thiaw for five official CAF matches for “unsporting conduct” and for “bringing the game into disrepute”. He was also fined USD 100,000.
Two Senegal players were also sanctioned for incidents involving match officials. Iliman Cheikh Baroy Ndiaye was suspended for two official CAF matches for “unsporting behaviour towards the referee”.
For the same offence as Ndiaye, Ismaila Sarr was also suspended for two matches.
CAF also fined the Senegal Football Federation USD 300,000 for “the improper conduct of its supporters, which brought the game into disrepute.”
Another USD 300,000 fine was imposed for “the unsporting conduct of their players and technical staff”, which CAF said violated the principles of “fair play, loyalty and integrity” and also brought the game into disrepute.
“The unsporting conduct of their players and the technical staff also brought the game into disrepute,” CAF noted.
In addition, the federation was fined USD 15,000 for team misconduct after five Senegal players received cautions during the final.
Morocco sanctions
Morocco international Achraf Hakimi was suspended for two official CAF matches for “unsporting behaviour”, with CAF stating that one of the two matches will be suspended for a probationary period of 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.
CAF also imposed several fines on the Moroccan federation related to match-day organisation and conduct.
The federation was fined USD 200,000 for “the inappropriate behaviour of the stadium’s ball boys during the aforementioned match.”
Another USD 100,000 fine was issued for the conduct of Morocco’s players and technical staff, who, according to CAF, “invaded the VAR review area and obstructed the referee’s work,” in violation of Articles 82 and 83 of the CAF Disciplinary Code and the principles of fair play and integrity.
CAF also fined the FRMF USD 15,000 for “the use of lasers by its supporters during the aforementioned match.”
Protest outcome
The CAF Disciplinary Board also ruled on a protest lodged by the FRMF, which alleged violations by the FSF of Articles 82 and 84 of the Africa Cup of Nations regulations in relation to the final.
The AFCON final took a series of unexpected turns late in regular time when a goal by Senegal’s Ismaila Sarr was disallowed for a foul on Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi, the 2025 African Player of the Year.
Moments later, Morocco were awarded a penalty after forward Brahim Diaz was fouled in the area, a decision that sparked angry protests from the Senegalese players and technical staff.
Television footage of the match showed Senegal head coach Pape Bouna Thiaw gesturing toward his players, an action widely interpreted as instructing the team to leave the field. Most of the Senegal squad walked off and went to the dressing room.
Senegal captain Sadio Mané, however, remained on the pitch and later persuaded his teammates to return so that the match could resume.
After a lengthy delay, Diaz took the penalty, but his effort was saved by Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. The match proceeded to extra time, where Pape Gueye scored the decisive goal to secure Senegal’s second Africa Cup of Nations title.
Following the final, the FRMF announced its intention to pursue legal action over the outcome of the match.
“The Royal Moroccan Football Federation announces that it will pursue legal action with the Confederation of African Football and FIFA to rule on the walk-off of the Senegalese national team from the field during the final against the Moroccan national team, as well as on the events surrounding this decision, following the referee’s awarding of a penalty that was deemed correct by all experts,” a statement said.
“This situation had a significant impact on the normal course of the match and on the players’ performance,” it added.
However, CAF said the protest was rejected, stating that “the CAF Disciplinary Board rejected the protest lodged by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) regarding alleged violations by the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF) 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.”
