By Victor Okoye
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has sanctioned Senegal and hosts
Morocco after disorder marred the TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 final in Rabat.
CAF said its Disciplinary Board punished the Senegalese and Moroccan
federations, players and officials for breaching the CAF Disciplinary Code during
and after the finals.
Senegal edged Morocco 1–0 after extra time, but protests, pitch confrontations and
crowd unrest followed a controversial Video Assistant Referee decision late in the
match.
CAF handed Senegal coach Pape Bouna Thiaw a five-match suspension for
unsporting conduct and fined him 100,000 dollars for bringing the game into
disrepute.
Senegal players Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr received two-match CAF bans for
unsporting behaviour. The Senegal federation was fined 615,000 dollars.
Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi got a two-match suspension, and suspended for
a year. Midfielder Ismaël Saibari received a three-match ban and 100,000-dollar
fine.
The Moroccan federation was fined 315,000 dollars for ball boys’ misconduct,
VAR area invasion by officials and players, and supporters’ use of laser pointers.
CAF also dismissed Morocco’s protest alleging regulatory breaches by Senegal,
ruling that the complaint lacked merit under AFCON regulations.
The final descended into chaos after a VAR-awarded penalty to Morocco triggered
protests and a brief walk-off by Senegalese players, halting play for nearly 20
minutes.
Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy later saved Brahim Díaz’s penalty, before
Pape Gueye scored in extra time to secure Senegal’s historic victory.
Before the sanctions, FIFA President Gianni Infantino condemned the incidents,
describing the scenes as unacceptable.
“We strongly condemn the behaviour of some ‘supporters’ as well as some
Senegalese players and technical staff members. It is unacceptable to leave the
field of play in this manner,” Infantino said.
“It is unacceptable to leave the field of play in this manner, and equally, violence
cannot be tolerated in our sport; it is simply not right.”
CAF said the sanctions underscored its stance on discipline, fair play and respect
for match officials, closing a turbulent chapter of AFCON 2025.
