Confédération Africaine de Football Slams Senegal and Morocco with Heavy Sanctions After AFCON 2025 Final Chaos

The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) has imposed a series of severe disciplinary sanctions on Senegal and Morocco following serious breaches of conduct during the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 final.

In a statement released after deliberations by its Disciplinary Board, Confédération Africaine de Football confirmed that the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF), the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF), along with several players and officials from both teams, were found guilty of violating key provisions of the CAF Disciplinary Code. These violations relate to fair play, integrity, and actions deemed to have brought the game into disrepute.

Senegal Hit with the Heaviest Punishments

Senegal emerged as the most heavily sanctioned nation following the chaotic final.

Head coach Pape Bouna Thiaw was handed a five-match suspension from official CAF competitions and fined USD 100,000 for unsporting conduct that CAF ruled damaged the image of African football.

Two Senegalese players, Iliman Cheikh Baroy Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr, were each suspended for two CAF matches after being found guilty of inappropriate behaviour towards the referee during the match.

CAF also imposed stiff financial penalties on the FSF:

• USD 300,000 for misconduct by Senegalese supporters
• USD 300,000 for unsporting behaviour by players and technical staff
• USD 15,000 after five Senegal players received yellow cards in the final

In total, Senegal was fined USD 615,000, excluding individual sanctions.

Morocco Also Sanctioned

Morocco did not escape CAF’s disciplinary hammer, with multiple violations cited involving players, officials, and match-day operations.

Star defender Achraf Hakimi received a two-match suspension, although one match was suspended for a year. Midfielder Ismaël Saibari was banned for three matches and fined USD 100,000 for unsporting behaviour.

The FRMF was fined:

• USD 200,000 for the inappropriate conduct of stadium ball boys
• USD 100,000 after players and technical staff invaded the VAR review area and obstructed the referee
• USD 15,000 for supporters’ use of laser devices

Morocco’s total fine amounted to USD 315,000.

CAF Rejects Morocco’s Protest

CAF also addressed a formal protest lodged by Morocco, citing alleged violations of Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON Regulations and arguing that Senegal should be stripped of the title for allegedly abandoning the match.

The Disciplinary Board rejected the protest in its entirety, ruling that the claims were unfounded. As a result, Senegal remain the official AFCON 2025 champions.

Confédération Africaine de Football: Full Breakdown of Sanctions

Senegal

• USD 615,000 in total fines
• Pape Thiaw: 5-match CAF suspension + USD 100,000 fine
• Iliman Ndiaye & Ismaila Sarr: 2-match CAF suspensions each

Morocco

• USD 315,000 in total fines
• Achraf Hakimi: 2-match suspension (1 suspended for one year)
• Ismaël Saibari: 3-match suspension + USD 100,000 fine

Source: 3news.com

Also read: Jean-Philippe Mateta Tells Crystal Palace He Wants to Leave Amid Aston Villa and Juventus Interest