The Confederation of African Football (CAF) disciplinary committee has spelt out heavy sanctions to Senegal and Morocco after the incident that occurred in the final of the recently concluded 2025 African Cup of Nations tournament, SportPremi reports.
The final of the 35th edition of Africa’s biggest football competition almost ended in chaos after a 16-minute delay towards the end of normal time.
The drama unfolded after Morocco were awarded a penalty by a VAR review after a tangle in the box between Brahim Diaz and El Hadji Malick Diouf.
The incident occurred only few minutes after Senegal had a goal disallowed with VAR not called into action to review the incident.
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Both players got into heated confrontations with each other after the controversial decision, before Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw signalled to his players to walk off the pitch.
After several minutes of delay, the Lions of Teranga came back onto the pitch, but further confrontations between both set of players delayed the spot-kick.
Benjamin Mendy saved Diaz’s panenka attempt, before Senegal went on to win the match 1-0 in extra-time after a stunning strike by Pape Gueye.
CAF spells out punishment for chaotic AFCON 2025 final
CAF disciplinary committee dismissed Morocco’s appeal to overturn the final result, instead spelling out its punishments.
The Senegalese national team were penalized the most, while Morocco also received her share of the sanctions.
In a statement released on the CAF website, both countries and some players received heavy punishments.
The CAF Disciplinary Board took the following decisions:
(1). On the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF), the CAF Disciplinary Board decided :
To suspend Mr Pape Bouna Thiaw, the Head Coach of the Senegalese National Team, for five (5) official CAF matches for his unsporting conduct in violation of the CAF Disciplinary Code principles of fair play and integrity and for bringing the game into disrepute.
Mr Pape Bouna Thiaw was also fined USD 100,000.
To suspend the Senegalese National Team player, Mr Iliman Cheikh Baroy Ndiaye for two (2) official CAF matches, for his unsporting behaviour towards the referee.
To suspend Senegalese National Team player, Mr Ismaila Sarr for two (2) official CAF matches for his unsporting behaviour towards the referee.
To fine the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF), USD 300,000 for the improper conduct of its supporters, which brought the game into disrepute in violation of the CAF Disciplinary Code principles of fair play and integrity.
To fine the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF), USD 300,000 for the unsporting conduct of their players and technical staff in violation of the CAF Disciplinary Code principles of fair play, loyalty and integrity. The unsporting conduct of their players and the technical staff also brought the game into disrepute.
To fine the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF), USD 15,000 for the misconduct of its National Team, due to five (5) of its players having received cautions.
(2). On the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF), the CAF Disciplinary Board decided :
To suspend the Moroccan National Team player, Mr Achraf Hakimi for two (2) official CAF matches, with one (1) these matches being suspended for one (1) year from the date of this decision, for his unsporting behaviour.
To suspend the Moroccan National Team player, Mr Ismaël Saibari for three (3) official CAF matches for his unsporting behaviour.
Mr Ismaël Saibari was also fined USD 100,000.
To fine the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) USD 200,000, for the inappropriate behaviour of the stadium’s ball boys during the aforementioned match.
To fine the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) USD 100,000 for the improper conduct of their National Team players and technical staff, who invaded the VAR review area and obstructed the referee’s work, in violation of the principles of fair play and integrity, as stated in Articles 82 and 83 of the CAF Disciplinary Code.
To fine the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) USD 15,000 for the use of lasers by its supporters during the aforementioned match.
(3). On the protest that was lodged by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) regarding alleged violations by the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF)violations of Articles 82 and 84 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations
The CAF Disciplinary Board rejected the protest lodged by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) regarding alleged violations by the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF) of Articles 82 and 84 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations, relating to the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 Final.
