CAF suspends Thiaw, Hakimi, fines Senegal, Morocco over AFCON final misconduct

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced a wave of disciplinary sanctions targeting both teams and individuals following misconduct during and after the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final.

In a statement released on Wednesday night via its official website, CAF revealed 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 breached multiple provisions of the CAF Disciplinary Code.

According to CAF, the violations included breaches of core principles such as fair play, loyalty, and integrity — standards that are fundamental to the spirit of the competition.

As part of the sanctions against Senegal, CAF suspended the head coach of the Teranga Lions, Pape Bouna Thiaw, for five official CAF matches for what it described as “unsporting conduct” and actions that brought the game into disrepute. Thiaw was also fined $100,000.

CAF further suspended Senegalese midfielder Iliman Cheikh Baroy Ndiaye for two CAF matches for unsporting behaviour towards match officials. Winger Ismaila Sarr was also handed a two-match suspension for similar conduct towards the referee.

In addition, CAF fined the Senegalese Football Federation $300,000 for the improper conduct of its supporters, which it said brought the game into disrepute. Another $300,000 fine was imposed on the federation for the unsporting conduct of its players and technical staff, while an additional $15,000 fine was issued after five Senegalese players received cautions during the final.

With respect to Morocco, CAF suspended defender Achraf Hakimi for two CAF matches, with one of the matches suspended for a probationary period of one year, for unsporting behaviour. Midfielder Ismaël Saibari was suspended for three CAF matches and fined $100,000 for similar misconduct.

CAF also fined the Moroccan Football Federation $200,000 for the inappropriate behaviour of stadium ball boys during the final. A further $100,000 fine was imposed for the conduct of Moroccan players and technical staff, who invaded the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) area and obstructed the referee’s work.

Moroccan supporters were also sanctioned, with the federation fined $15,000 for the use of laser devices during the match.

The AFCON 2025 final, held at the Stade Mohammed V in Rabat on January 18, 2026, was marred by controversy in the closing moments of regulation time. With the score at 0-0, Senegal had a goal ruled out for offside before a VAR review awarded host nation Morocco a penalty deep into stoppage time.

Dissatisfied with the decision, Senegal coach Pape Thiaw led his players off the pitch in protest, triggering chaotic scenes that required security intervention. The team later returned to the field, and Morocco’s penalty was saved by Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy, forcing the match into extra time.

Senegal went on to secure the title after Pape Gueye scored the decisive goal early in extra time.

CAF also announced that it rejected a protest filed by the Moroccan Football Federation, which accused Senegal of breaching Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON regulations during the final.

Both CAF and FIFA President Gianni Infantino had earlier condemned the conduct witnessed during the match.