The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has imposed heavy disciplinary sanctions on the football federations of Senegal and Morocco following incidents that overshadowed the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 final.
In a statement issued after deliberations by its Disciplinary Board, CAF said the decisions were taken to protect the principles of fair play, integrity and respect for the game, citing a series of unsporting and improper behaviours involving players, officials and supporters from both nations.
Senegal received the stiffest punishment, with national team head coach Pape Bouna Thiaw handed a five-match suspension for conduct that CAF said breached its Disciplinary Code and brought the game into disrepute. The coach was also fined USD 100,000.
Players Iliman Cheikh Baroy Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr were each suspended for two official CAF matches for unsporting behaviour directed at the referee during the final.
The Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF) was also hit with significant financial penalties. CAF fined the federation USD 300,000 for the improper conduct of supporters and another USD 300,000 for the unsporting behaviour of players and technical staff, both of which CAF said brought the game into disrepute. An additional USD 15,000 fine was imposed for team misconduct after five Senegalese players were cautioned during the match.
Morocco were also sanctioned following the disturbances during the final. Defender Achraf Hakimi received a two-match suspension in official CAF competitions, although one of the suspensions has been suspended for a period of one year from the date of the decision.
Midfielder Ismaël Saibari was handed a three-match suspension for unsporting behaviour and was also fined USD 100,000.
CAF further fined the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) USD 200,000 for the inappropriate conduct of ball boys during the final, while an additional USD 100,000 fine was imposed for the improper behaviour of Morocco’s players and technical staff, who were found to have invaded the VAR review area and obstructed the referee in the performance of his duties.
These actions were ruled to be in violation of Articles 82 and 83 of the CAF Disciplinary Code.
The federation was also fined USD 15,000 for the use of lasers by supporters inside the stadium.
CAF also addressed a protest filed by the Moroccan federation accusing Senegal of breaching Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON regulations. The Disciplinary Board rejected the protest in its entirety, confirming that the result of the AFCON 2025 final will stand.
In its concluding remarks, CAF stressed that the sanctions serve as a reminder that all teams, officials and supporters must uphold discipline, respect and integrity, particularly at major continental tournaments.
