AFCON: Senegal coach Thiaw snubs fundraiser for CAF fine

Senegal national team coach Pape Thiaw has refused to entertain any activity aimed at raising funds for the payment of a $100,000 fine which the Confederation of African Football (CAF) imposed on him.

The continental football governing body penalized the Teranga Lions mentor on Wednesday for bringing the game into disrepute. CAF Disciplinary Committee found him guilty of ordering his players off the pitch during the Africa Cup of Nation (AFCON) final against hosts Morocco on January 18. CAF also slapped the coach with a five-match ban from games organized by the body.

The sanctions triggered an outpouring of support in Senegal where some fans voluntarily took to the social media platforms to create fundraising campaigns for Thiaw’s hefty fine.

 

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However, writing on his official Instagram page @papthiaw, the 44-year-old saw such fundraising initiatives should benefit the needy and not him.

What Senegal coach Thiaw said

“People of Senegal and my family, your solidarity since the announcement of sanctions touches me deeply. Thank you for the love you show me every day,’” Thiaw wrote in a translated version of French.

“However, I humbly ask you not to organize fundraising campaigns in my name. While I understand and appreciate this outpouring of generosity, I urge you to redirect these funds to more urgent causes for the benefit of those who truly need them.”

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.