The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has issued heavy disciplinary sanctions against Senegal and Morocco following the chaotic scenes that marred the 2025 AFCON final in Rabat.
In a statement released late Wednesday, CAF said the penalties stemmed from breaches of its Disciplinary Code, including violations of fair play, loyalty, and integrity during and after the final.
Sanctions Against Senegal
Senegal head coach Pape Bouna Thiaw received a five-match CAF suspension for unsporting conduct and bringing the game into disrepute. He was also fined $100,000.
Players Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr were each handed two-match CAF bans for unsporting behaviour toward the referee.
The Senegalese Football Federation was fined a total of $615,000 for crowd misconduct, behaviour of players and technical staff, and multiple cautions.
Penalties for Morocco
CAF also imposed sanctions on Morocco. Defender Achraf Hakimi was suspended for two CAF matches, while midfielder Ismaël Saibari received a three-match ban and a $100,000 fine.
The Moroccan federation was fined $200,000 for the conduct of ball boys, $100,000 for players and staff invading the VAR area, and $15,000 for the use of lasers by supporters.
Chaotic Final and CAF Ruling
The final at Stade Mohammed V descended into chaos late in regulation time after Senegal had a goal disallowed and Morocco was awarded a penalty following a VAR review.
In protest, Thiaw led his players off the pitch, causing a 14-minute delay and requiring security intervention before play resumed. Morocco’s penalty was saved by Édouard Mendy, and Senegal went on to win the title in extra time through Pape Gueye’s 94th-minute goal.
CAF also confirmed it rejected a protest from the Moroccan federation seeking to overturn the result.
“The CAF Disciplinary Board rejected the protest lodged by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football,” the statement read.
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