AFCON: CAF summons Senegal coach Thiaw, players for hearing

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) summoned Senegal national team coach Pape Thiaw and his two players for a disciplinary hearing on Tuesday.

The hearing is in relation to the controversy that marred the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final between the Teranga Lions and Morocco on January 18.

In a translated version of a statement issued on Wednesday, the Federation of Senegalese Football (FSF) confirmed the proceedings involving the AFCON-winning tactician and key players Ismaila Sarr and Illiman Ndiaye.

“The FSF informs the national and international public that it appeared before the CAF Disciplinary Jury on Tuesday, January 27, 2026. This procedure follows reports from match officials and reservations expressed by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation after the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco,” reads the statement.

“In this context, the FSF, represented by its Secretary General, received legal assistance from attorney Syedou Diagne. Coach Pape Bouna Thiaw, as well as players Ismaila Sarr and Illiman Ndiaye, were duly heard and presented their defences.”

When will CAF issue its verdict on Senegal?

FSF has since indicated that CAF will give its verdict within two days from the date of the hearing.

Adds the statement which is in French: “The disciplinary body has taken the case and will notify its decision within forty-eight (48) hours, as set by the Jury President.”

Senegal stunned Morocco 1-0 in extra-time of an ill-tempered final that saw the Atlas Lions miss a penalty through Brahim Diaz. Left-back El Hadji Malick Diouf had pushed down the Real Madrid star in the box with a few minutes to full-time.

Before Diaz took the penalty, which goalkeeper Édouard Mendy saved, Thiaw ordered his troops off the turf in protest over the referee’s decision to, after VAR review, award the hosts the penalty.

Captain of the game, Sadio Mane intervened to recall his team-mates from the dressing room some 10 minutes later. Eventually, Pape Gueye scored the ultimate clincher.

Some quarters have condemned Senegal for walking off the pitch, saying it was a display of a lack of sportsmanship. Morocco coach Walid Regragui particularly slammed Thiaw for a lack of class in sanctioning the brief boycott.

There are fears that Thiaw could be banned and not be able to lead Senegal at the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicking off in June.