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AFCON 2025 final sanctions see CAF suspend Hakimi and Senegal coach Pape Thiaw
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Senegal, Morocco fined as CAF cites unsporting conduct, referee harassment and crowd misconduct
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CAF rejects Morocco’s protest over alleged AFCON regulations violations
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has imposed sweeping disciplinary sanctions on Senegal, Morocco, and several players and officials following chaotic scenes during and after the AFCON 2025 final in Rabat.
In a statement issued on Wednesday night, CAF said the decisions were taken by its Disciplinary Board for violations of the CAF Disciplinary Code, including breaches of fair play, loyalty and integrity, during the final match of the tournament.
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CAF announced that Senegal head coach, Pape Bouna Thiaw, has been suspended for five official CAF matches and fined $100,000 for what it described as “unsporting conduct” and “bringing the game into disrepute.”
The disciplinary body also handed match bans to Senegalese players Iliman Cheikh Baroy Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr, suspending each for two CAF matches for unsporting behaviour towards match officials.
In addition, CAF fined the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF) a total of $615,000, including penalties for crowd misconduct, unsporting behaviour by players and technical staff, and the accumulation of cautions during the final.
Regarding Morocco, CAF suspended Achraf Hakimi for two official CAF matches, with one match suspended for a probationary period of one year, over unsporting conduct. Midfielder Ismaël Saibari was handed a three-match suspension and fined $100,000 for similar offences.
CAF further fined the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) $200,000 for inappropriate behaviour by stadium ball boys, $100,000 for the invasion of the VAR review area by players and officials, and $15,000 for the use of laser pointers by supporters.
The AFCON final, played at the Stade Mohammed V, Rabat, on January 18, 2026, descended into controversy late in regulation time after Senegal had a goal ruled out for offside, followed by a VAR decision that awarded Morocco a stoppage-time penalty.
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CAF said tensions escalated when Senegal’s coach led his players off the pitch in protest, forcing security intervention before play resumed.
The Moroccan penalty was later saved, pushing the match into extra time, where Pape Gueye scored the winning goal to hand Senegal the AFCON title.
The football body also disclosed that it had rejected a protest filed by Morocco over alleged violations of Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON regulations by Senegal.
According to CAF, “the Disciplinary Board rejected the protest lodged by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football relating to the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 Final.”
CAF and FIFA President Gianni Infantino had earlier condemned the conduct that marred the final, describing it as damaging to the image of African football.