The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has handed down a series of disciplinary measures against the Senegalese and Moroccan football federations, along with several players and officials, in the aftermath of the disorder that overshadowed the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final.
In a statement released by the continental body, CAF confirmed that Senegal head coach, Pape Bouna Thiaw, has been suspended for five matches for unsporting conduct.
He was also fined, with CAF noting that “Mr Pape Bouna Thiaw was also fined USD 100,000”.
Sanegal midfielder Iliman Cheikh Baroy Ndiaye was also sanctioned, receiving a two-match suspension for his conduct toward match officials.
CAF said it decided “to suspend the Senegalese national team player, Mr Iliman Cheikh Baroy Ndiaye, for two (2) official CAF matches, for his unsporting behaviour towards the referee.”
Another Senegal international, Ismaila Sarr, was equally banned for two matches. According to CAF, the decision was “to suspend Senegalese national team player, Mr Ismaila Sarr, for two (2) official CAF matches for his unsporting behaviour towards the referee.”
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Beyond individual punishments, CAF imposed multiple financial penalties on the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF).
The Senegalese federation was fined USD 300,000 “for the improper conduct of its supporters, which brought the game into disrepute in violation of the CAF Disciplinary Code principles of fair play and integrity.”
A further USD 300,000 fine was imposed on the FSF “for the unsporting conduct of their players and technical staff in violation of the CAF Disciplinary Code principles of fair play, loyalty and integrity. The unsporting conduct of their players and the technical staff also brought the game into disrepute.”
CAF also sanctioned the federation with an additional USD 15,000 fine “for the misconduct of its national team, due to five (5) of its players having received cautions.”
On the Moroccan side, defender Achraf Hakimi was suspended for two matches, with one of those matches suspended for a year.
Midfielder Ismaël Saibari was handed a three-match suspension and fined USD 100,000 for unsporting behaviour.
The sanctions stem from the dramatic AFCON final played on January 18, 2026, at the Stade Mohammed V in Rabat.
Tensions escalated after a Senegal goal was disallowed and Morocco were awarded a last-minute penalty. In protest, Thiaw led his players off the pitch, causing a temporary disruption to the match.
Play later resumed, and Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy saved the penalty before Senegal went on to secure a 1–0 victory in extra time through a goal by Pape Gueye.
The chaotic scenes drew condemnation from CAF and FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
CAF also ruled on a protest filed by the Moroccan federation concerning alleged breaches of tournament regulations by Senegal.
The disciplinary body dismissed the complaint, stating: “The CAF Disciplinary Board rejected the protest lodged by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football regarding alleged violations by the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football 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.”
