AFCON 2025 Final Fallout: CAF Sanctions Senegal, Morocco; Hakimi, Thiaw Suspended

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has handed down a raft of disciplinary sanctions against the Senegalese and Moroccan Football Federations, as well as several players and officials, following disorderly scenes during and after the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final.

In a statement released on Wednesday January 28 night, CAF said the decisions were reached by its Disciplinary Board after establishing multiple violations of the CAF Disciplinary Code, particularly breaches of fair play, loyalty and integrity.

Sanctions Against Senegal
CAF imposed heavy penalties on Senegal, including suspensions and substantial fines. Senegal head coach, Pape Bouna Thiaw, was suspended for five official CAF matches and fined $100,000 for unsporting conduct and actions deemed to have brought the game into disrepute.

Two Senegalese players were also sanctioned:
Iliman Cheikh Baroy Ndiaye received a two-match suspension for unsporting behaviour towards the referee.

Ismaila Sarr was similarly suspended for two CAF matches for misconduct towards match officials.

The Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF) was fined a total of $615,000, broken down as follows:

$300,000 for the improper conduct of Senegalese supporters,

$300,000 for unsporting conduct by players and technical officials,

$15,000 for team misconduct following cautions issued to five players.

Sanctions Against Morocco
On the Moroccan side, CAF suspended defender Achraf Hakimi for two official CAF matches, with one match suspended for a year, due to unsporting behaviour. Midfielder Ismaël Saibari was handed a three-match suspension and fined $100,000.

The Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) was fined $200,000 for the inappropriate conduct of stadium ball boys during the final. CAF also imposed an additional $100,000 fine for the improper behaviour of Moroccan players and officials, who invaded the VAR review area and obstructed the referee. A further $15,000 fine was issued over the use of laser pointers by Moroccan supporters.

Chaotic Final in Rabat
The AFCON final, played at the Stade Mohammed V in Rabat on January 18, 2026, was marred by controversy in the closing stages of regulation time. With the score at 0–0, a Senegal goal was ruled out for offside before a VAR review awarded Morocco a late penalty.

In protest, Senegal coach Pape Thiaw led his players off the pitch, triggering tense scenes that required security intervention. The team later returned, and Morocco’s penalty was saved by goalkeeper Édouard Mendy, forcing the match into extra time. Senegal eventually clinched the title after Pape Gueye scored the decisive goal.

Both CAF and FIFA President Gianni Infantino condemned the conduct that overshadowed the final.

CAF also confirmed it had rejected a protest filed by the Moroccan federation over alleged regulatory violations by Senegal, ruling that the complaint lacked merit.