CAF, being ruthless, sanctions Senegal, Morocco heavily for AFCON final misconduct
By Elegbede Abiodun
CAF sanctions Senegal and Morocco for AFCON 2025 final chaos by imposing suspensions and heavy fines on players and officials.
The Confederation of African Football, CAF, has imposed heavy disciplinary sanctions on the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football and the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football following misconduct that marred the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 Final.
CAF said the sanctions were approved by its Disciplinary Board to safeguard fair play, integrity and respect for the game after a series of unsporting incidents involving players, officials and supporters of both teams during the final.
Under the rulings, Senegal received the most severe penalties. National team head coach Pape Bouna Thiaw was suspended for five CAF matches and fined USD 100,000 after CAF ruled that his conduct breached the principles of integrity and brought the game into disrepute.
Players Iliman Cheikh Baroy Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr were each suspended for two official CAF matches for unsporting behaviour towards the referee.
The Senegalese federation was also fined USD 300,000 for the improper conduct of its supporters and another USD 300,000 for the behaviour of its players and technical staff.
CAF imposed an additional USD 15,000 fine after five Senegalese players were cautioned, triggering a team misconduct sanction.
Morocco were also punished following the final. Defender Achraf Hakimi received a two-match CAF suspension, with one match suspended for one year.
Midfielder Ismaël Saibari was handed a three-match suspension and fined USD 100,000 for unsporting conduct.
CAF fined the Moroccan federation USD 200,000 for the inappropriate behaviour of ball boys during the match.
A further USD 100,000 fine was imposed for the conduct of Morocco’s players and technical staff, who invaded the video assistant referee review area and obstructed the referee, a violation of Articles 82 and 83 of the CAF Disciplinary Code. Supporters’ use of lasers inside the stadium also attracted a USD 15,000 fine.
CAF further confirmed that it had rejected in full a protest lodged by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football accusing Senegal of regulatory breaches.
The disciplinary body ruled that the protest lacked merit and that the result of the AFCON 2025 final would stand.
In a firm conclusion, CAF said the sanctions were a powerful reminder that discipline, respect and integrity must be upheld by all stakeholders, particularly on Africa’s biggest football stage.
