CAF hands heavy sanctions to Senegal and Morocco over AFCON 2025 final incidents
The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) Disciplinary Board has imposed a series of suspensions and fines on the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF), the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF), and several players and officials following misconduct during the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 final.
In decisions released after disciplinary proceedings, CAF said the sanctions stem from incidents that violated the CAF Disciplinary Code, including breaches of fair play, integrity, and conduct that brought the game into disrepute.
Sanctions against Senegal
CAF imposed the heaviest penalties on Senegal, including suspensions for the national team’s head coach and players, as well as substantial financial sanctions against the federation.
Senegal head coach Pape Bouna Thiaw was suspended for five official CAF matches for unsporting conduct and behaviour deemed to have brought the game into disrepute. He was also fined USD 100,000.
Two Senegalese players — Iliman Cheikh Baroy Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr — were each suspended for two official CAF matches for unsporting behaviour towards the referee.
The FSF was fined a total of USD 615,000, broken down as:
- USD 300,000 for improper conduct by its supporters,
- USD 300,000 for unsporting conduct by players and technical staff,
- USD 15,000 due to five Senegal players receiving cautions during the match.
CAF said the conduct of Senegal’s players, officials, and supporters violated principles of fair play, loyalty, and integrity.
Sanctions Against Morocco
CAF also sanctioned Morocco and its officials for several incidents during the final.
Moroccan defender Achraf Hakimi was suspended for two official CAF matches, with one match suspended for one year, for unsporting behaviour.
Midfielder Ismaël Saibari received a three-match suspension and was fined USD 100,000 for unsporting conduct.
The FRMF was fined a total of USD 315,000, including:
- USD 200,000 for inappropriate behaviour by stadium ball boys,
- USD 100,000 for improper conduct by players and technical staff who invaded the VAR review area and obstructed the referee,
- USD 15,000 for the use of lasers by Moroccan supporters.
CAF cited violations of Articles 82 and 83 of the CAF Disciplinary Code in relation to the VAR-area incident.
Morocco’s Protest Rejected
The CAF Disciplinary Board also dismissed a protest lodged by the FRMF, which alleged that Senegal violated Articles 82 and 84 of the Africa Cup of Nations Regulations during the final.
CAF ruled that the protest lacked merit and formally rejected it.
The sanctions underline CAF’s intention to enforce discipline and uphold standards of conduct at its flagship competitions, particularly during high-profile matches such as the AFCON final.
