AFCON: Strong sanctions from CAF against Senegal and Morocco following final

The Disciplinary Jury of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced its highly anticipated verdict on Wednesday regarding the incidents that occurred during the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), won by Senegal against Morocco.

OFFICIAL STATEMENT: CAF Disciplinary Board imposes sanctions on the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF), the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF).

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After hearing from the parties involved and reviewing the match officials’ reports, video evidence, and complaints filed, particularly by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), the CAF Disciplinary Jury imposed significant disciplinary and financial sanctions on both federations, as well as on several players and officials. These decisions aim to punish violations of the CAF Disciplinary Code, specifically concerning fair play, integrity, unsportsmanlike conduct, and damage to the image of football.

Sanctions against Senegal

Senegal national team coach Pape Thiaw received the harshest penalty: a 5-match suspension for unsportsmanlike conduct, violation of fair play principles, and damaging the image of football, along with a personal fine of USD $100,000.

Players who received punishments include Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaïla Sarr, each suspended for two official CAF matches for unsportsmanlike conduct towards the referee.

The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF), as a federation, faces significant cumulative fines:
$300,000 for the inappropriate behavior of its supporters;

An additional $300,000 for the unsportsmanlike conduct of its players and technical staff; $15,000 for collective disciplinary offenses (five yellow cards).

Total for the FSF and its coach: more than $715,000 in fines.

Sanctions against Morocco

Morocco star Achraf Hakimi has been suspended for two official CAF matches, one of which is a suspended sentence for one year, for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Ismael Saibari received a three-match suspension and a fine of $100,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct.

The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) has been fined $200,000 for the inappropriate behavior of the ball boys; $100,000 for the invasion of the VAR area by players and staff members, disrupting the referee’s work (violation of Articles 82 and 83); $15,000 for the use of lasers by its supporters.

Morocco’s complaint

The complaint filed by the FRMF, alleging violations by the FSF of Articles 82 and 84 of the Africa Cup of Nations Regulations (related to the final), was rejected by the Jury.

These sanctions follow a final match marked by extreme tensions at the end of the game: disputes over refereeing decisions, particularly regarding a penalty awarded to Morocco at the end of regular time, protests on the field, a temporary interruption of play by the Senegalese team, incidents around the VAR area, laser pointers, the behavior of ball boys, and scuffles.

CAF had condemned these “unacceptable behaviors” the day after the final and launched a swift investigation. Senegal, of course, remains the 2025 African champion, as no title has been called into question.

These decisions send a strong message about respect for the rules and the referees. It remains to be seen whether either federation will file an appeal in the coming days.

EDITOR NOTE: This article is translated from the original report written in French by Ablam Gnamesso for Pan-Africa Football.

The Disciplinary Jury of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced its highly anticipated verdict on Wednesday regarding the incidents that marred the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), won by Senegal against Morocco. The decision follows weeks of speculation and intense scrutiny after a final that descended into chaos amid controversial refereeing decisions and heated confrontations.

After hearing from all parties involved and reviewing match officials’ reports, video footage, and formal complaints — particularly those filed by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) — the CAF Disciplinary Jury handed down significant sporting and financial sanctions. The penalties target both federations, as well as individual players and officials, for violations of the CAF Disciplinary Code relating to fair play, integrity, unsportsmanlike conduct, and actions deemed damaging to the image of football.

Sanctions against Senegal

The harshest punishment was imposed on Senegal national team head coach Pape Thiaw, who received a five-match suspension for unsportsmanlike conduct, breaching fair play principles, and harming the image of the game. In addition to the suspension, Thiaw was fined USD 100,000, a rare and severe sanction at this level of African football.

Two Senegalese internationals were also disciplined. Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaïla Sarr were each handed two-match suspensions in official CAF competitions for unsportsmanlike behavior directed toward the referee during the final.

At an institutional level, the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF) was hit with substantial cumulative fines: