CAF Fines Senegal and Morocco, Issues Suspensions Following 2025 AFCON Final

Senegal and Morocco were fined and faced player suspensions by CAF after chaotic scenes at the 2025 AFCON final. Senegal, the 1–0 winners, must pay over $700,000, with coach Pape Bouna Thiaw suspended for five matches and two players banned for two matches each. Morocco was fined over $400,000, with defender Achraf Hakimi and midfielder Ismael Saibari also suspended. CAF upheld Senegal’s victory and rejected Morocco’s protest.

Senegal and Morocco have both been sanctioned by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) following disruptive incidents during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final held in Rabat. The sanctions come ten days after Senegal claimed the championship with a 1–0 extra-time victory over the host nation, Morocco, in a match that was marked by controversy and chaotic scenes on and off the pitch.
Senegal has been ordered to pay fines exceeding $700,000, attributed to unsporting conduct by the team’s staff, players, and fans. The disciplinary measures include a five-match suspension for Senegal’s coach, Pape Bouna Thiaw, who played a leading role in a protest that saw the players briefly leave the field. This protest was prompted by what Senegal claimed was a refereeing error, specifically the disallowing of a late goal which they argued was unfair and biased in favor of the host team. In addition, players Iliman Ndiaye and Ismail Sarr were each handed two-match suspensions for their involvement in the protest.
Morocco also faced consequences for its conduct during the final. The host nation was fined over $400,000 due to multiple infractions, including unsporting behavior, obstructing the referee, and the use of lasers by fans, which disrupted play. Individual sanctions were imposed on key players: defender Achraf Hakimi received a two-match suspension, with one match suspended for one year, while midfielder Ismael Saibari was banned for three matches.
CAF reviewed a formal protest submitted by Morocco concerning alleged regulatory breaches by Senegal but ultimately rejected the claims. The confederation confirmed Senegal’s victory and maintained the West African team as champions, upholding the 1–0 result achieved in extra time. The decisions underline CAF’s commitment to enforcing discipline and fair play while addressing both on-field and off-field misconduct, sending a clear message to teams and supporters about the standards expected at continental tournaments.