Senegal Coach Thiaw Handed Five-Match Ban and Heavy Fine After AFCON Final Chaos

Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw has been suspended for five matches and fined $100,000 by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) following disorderly scenes during the Africa Cup of Nations final against Morocco.

CAF ruled that Thiaw had committed “unsporting conduct” after instructing his players to leave the pitch late in the final, an action that caused a 14-minute delay in play. Senegal’s football federation was also fined $615,000 for the team’s conduct and the behaviour of their supporters during the match.

In addition, Senegal internationals Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaïla Sarr were each handed two-match CAF suspensions for unsporting behaviour towards the referee.

Despite the disruption, CAF’s Disciplinary Committee rejected Morocco’s request to have the result of the final overturned. The hosts had argued that Senegal’s temporary walk-off should have led to a forfeit, but the appeal was dismissed.

Morocco were also punished for their own conduct, receiving fines totalling $315,000. These sanctions related to the behaviour of ball boys, the conduct of players and staff in the Video Assistant Review area, and the use of laser pointers by supporters inside the stadium.

Further disciplinary action was taken against Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi, who was suspended for two CAF matches, with one of those bans suspended for a year. Team-mate Ismaïl Saibari received a three-match suspension. Both players were cited for unsporting conduct after attempting to remove a pitch-side towel shielding Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy from the driving rain in Rabat.

The controversy erupted late in the match when Senegal had a goal disallowed, prompting Thiaw to instruct his players to leave the field in protest. Shortly afterwards, Morocco were awarded a penalty, although Brahim Díaz failed to convert from the spot.

Senegal ultimately went on to secure victory in extra time, with Pape Gueye scoring the decisive goal to clinch the AFCON title.

The chaotic conclusion to the final overshadowed what had otherwise been a successful Africa Cup of Nations tournament, which CAF said generated record revenues.