CAF Hands Heavy Sanctions After AFCON Final Chaos

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has handed down a series of sanctions to Senegal and Morocco following disciplinary breaches during the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 final.

CAF’s Disciplinary Board confirmed that the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF), the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF), as well as several players and officials, were found to have violated provisions of the CAF Disciplinary Code during the highly charged final.

Senegal were hit with the heaviest penalties. Senegal head coach Pape Bouna Thiaw was suspended for five official CAF matches for unsporting conduct that CAF said breached principles of fair play and integrity and brought the game into disrepute. Thiaw was also fined USD 100,000.

Two Senegal players, Iliman Cheikh Baroy Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr, were each suspended for two official CAF matches for unsporting behaviour towards the referee. In addition, the FSF was fined a total of USD 615,000. This included USD 300,000 for the improper conduct of Senegalese supporters, another USD 300,000 for the unsporting conduct of players and technical staff, and USD 15,000 after five players received cautions during the match.

Morocco were also sanctioned following incidents involving players, officials and supporters. Achraf Hakimi was suspended for two official CAF matches, although one match suspension was suspended for a period of one year. Ismaël Saibari received a three-match suspension and a USD 100,000 fine for unsporting behaviour.

The FRMF was fined USD 200,000 for the inappropriate behaviour of stadium ball boys during the final, USD 100,000 for the conduct of players and technical staff who invaded the VAR review area and obstructed the referee, and USD 15,000 for the use of lasers by supporters.

CAF also confirmed that it had rejected a protest lodged by the FRMF concerning alleged violations by the FSF of Articles 82 and 84 of the Africa Cup of Nations Regulations. The Disciplinary Board ruled that the complaint, which related to the conduct of the final, was unfounded.

The decisions bring to a close CAF’s disciplinary review of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final, underlining the governing body’s stance on protecting fair play, integrity and respect for match officials at its flagship competitions.

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