CAF Hands Heavy Sanctions After Chaotic AFCON 2025 Final

Pape Thiaw, Achraf Hakimi and Ismaël Saibari

 

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has handed down severe disciplinary sanctions following incidents that overshadowed the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final between Senegal and host nation Morocco.

Senegal head coach Pape Bouna Thiaw has been suspended for five official CAF matches and fined $100,000 after being found guilty of unsporting conduct.

The CAF Disciplinary Board ruled that Thiaw breached principles of fair play and integrity by instructing his players to walk off the pitch during the tense final, an action CAF said brought the game into disrepute.

The coach’s punishment formed part of a broader list of sanctions issued in response to misconduct during the match. Two Senegalese players, Iliman Cheikh Baroy Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr, were each banned for two CAF matches for unsporting behaviour directed at match officials.

CAF also imposed heavy financial penalties on the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF), fining the body a total of $615,000.

This included a $300,000 fine for the improper conduct of Senegalese supporters, another $300,000 for the unsporting behaviour of the team’s players and technical staff, and an additional $15,000 after five Senegal players were cautioned during the final.

Moroccan defender Achraf Hakimi received a two-match CAF suspension, with one match suspended for a one-year probationary period. Midfielder Ismaël Saibari was handed a three-match ban and fined $100,000 for unsporting conduct.

The Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) was fined $200,000 for the inappropriate behaviour of ball boys during the match, while a further $100,000 fine was imposed after players and technical staff invaded the VAR review area and interfered with the referee’s work. An additional $15,000 fine was issued for supporters’ use of lasers inside the stadium.

Meanwhile, CAF dismissed a formal protest lodged by the Moroccan Football Federation alleging regulatory breaches by Senegal.

The Disciplinary Board rejected the complaint in its entirety, bringing an end to all disciplinary and regulatory proceedings arising from what CAF described as one of the most controversial AFCON finals in recent history.

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