CAF Hands Heavy Sanctions to Senegal, Morocco Over AFCON 2025 Final Chaos
The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) has handed down a series of disciplinary sanctions against the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF), the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF), as well as several players and officials, over incidents that overshadowed the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 final.
According to CAF, the Disciplinary Board determined that several actions that occurred during and after the final violated provisions of the CAF Disciplinary Code, particularly those relating to fair play, integrity, and respect for match officials. The governing body stressed that such conduct was incompatible with the values expected at a major continental competition.
Sanctions Against Senegal (FSF)
The CAF Disciplinary Board imposed multiple penalties on Senegal and its representatives for their roles in the incidents:
Senegal’s head coach, Pape Bouna Thiaw, was suspended from five official CAF matches for unsporting conduct and for bringing the game into disrepute. In addition to the suspension, he was fined USD 100,000.
Senegalese players Iliman Cheikh Baroy Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr were each handed two-match suspensions from official CAF competitions for unsporting behaviour directed at the referee during the final.
The Fédération Sénégalaise de Football was fined USD 300,000 for the improper conduct of its supporters, which CAF said brought the game into disrepute.
A further fine of USD 300,000 was imposed on the FSF for the unsporting conduct of its players and members of the technical staff.
In addition, the Senegalese federation was fined USD 15,000 after five of its players were cautioned during the match.
Sanctions Against Morocco (FRMF)
Morocco and its representatives were also sanctioned for several breaches recorded during the final:
Moroccan defender Achraf Hakimi was suspended for two official CAF matches for unsporting behaviour, with one of the matches suspended for a probationary period of one year.
Midfielder Ismaël Saibari received a three-match suspension and was fined USD 100,000 for unsporting conduct.
The Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football was fined USD 200,000 for the inappropriate behaviour of the stadium’s ball boys during the match.
CAF also imposed an additional fine of USD 100,000 on the FRMF for the improper conduct of its players and technical staff, who invaded the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review area and obstructed the referee in the performance of his duties, in violation of Articles 82 and 83 of the CAF Disciplinary Code.
Furthermore, the Moroccan federation was fined USD 15,000 for the use of laser pointers by supporters inside the stadium.
CAF stated that the sanctions reaffirm its firm commitment to enforcing discipline, promoting fair play, and safeguarding the integrity of its competitions, particularly at flagship events such as the Africa Cup of Nations.