CAF dismisses head of judicial bodies following AFCON 2025 final controversy

The Moroccan outlet El Botola has reported that the Secretary General of Confederation of African Football (CAF), Veron Mosengo-Omba, has dismissed Yacine Othman from his position as President of CAF’s Judicial Bodies.

According to the report, the Djiboutian official had held the role for six years before the decision was made. The move comes in the wake of the controversy surrounding CAF’s rulings related to incidents during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final in Morocco between the Morocco national football team and the Senegal national football team.

In the meantime, CAF’s Executive Committee has appointed Togolese official Cedric Adjé, who currently serves as Director of Legal Affairs, to assume the role on an interim basis. There is a possibility that Adjé could be confirmed permanently as President of the Judicial Bodies in the future.

CAF Rejected Morocco’s Appeal and Issues Heavy Sanctions After Dramatic AFCON 2025 Final

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) had officially rejected the protest submitted by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation against the Senegalese Football Federation following the dramatic 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final.

In addition to dismissing Morocco’s complaint, CAF announced a series of disciplinary sanctions against both national teams after the controversial events that unfolded during the final between the Morocco national football team and the Senegal national football team.

Sanctions Against Senegal

Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw has been suspended for five official matches due to unsporting behavior and actions deemed damaging to the image of the game. He was also fined $100,000.

Players Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr were each handed two-match suspensions for unsporting conduct toward the referee.

CAF also imposed financial penalties on the Senegalese Football Federation:

• $300,000 due to inappropriate behavior by supporters.
• $300,000 for unsporting conduct by players and technical staff.
• $15,000 for team misconduct after five players received yellow cards during the match.

Sanctions Against Morocco

CAF formally rejected Morocco’s protest against Senegal.

Morocco star Achraf Hakimi received a two-match suspension, with one match suspended for one year, meaning it will only be enforced if he commits a similar offense within that period.

Ismael Saibari was suspended for three official matches due to unsporting behavior and fined $100,000.

The Royal Moroccan Football Federation was fined a total of $315,000, broken down as follows:

• $200,000 due to improper conduct by ball boys during the match.
• $100,000 after Moroccan players and staff entered the VAR review area and disrupted the referee’s work.
• $15,000 due to supporters using laser pointers during the game.

What Happened in the Final?

The controversy erupted after referee Jean-Jacques Ndala awarded Morocco a penalty just minutes after Senegal had a goal disallowed. In protest, Senegal’s players briefly walked off the pitch.

However, captain Sadio Mané urged his teammates to return, reportedly telling them: “Let’s go back and play like men.”

The Teranga Lions eventually resumed play and went on to win the title in dramatic fashion. Senegal defeated host nation Morocco 1-0 after 120 intense minutes at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, securing the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations crown in one of the most chaotic finals in recent tournament history.

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