The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF)’s Disciplinary Board has imposed heavy disciplinary and financial sanctions on Senegal and Morocco following incidents that ruined the African Cup of Nations 2025 final (AFCON 2025).
In a statement on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, the CAF Disciplinary Board confirmed that penalties were handed down to the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF), the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF), as well as several players and officials, after reviewing match officials’ reports, video evidence, and submissions from the parties involved.
According to the organisation, the sanctions stem from breaches of the CAF Disciplinary Code during and after the final played in Rabat.
Senegal Bears the Heavier Load
Senegal, who won the final after extra time to clinch the continental title, bore the heaviest collective punishment.
National team head coach Pape Bouna Thiaw received the most severe individual sanction, with a five‑match suspension from all official CAF competitions.
CAF ruled that Thiaw’s actions constituted unsporting conduct, violated the principles of fair play and integrity, and brought the game into disrepute.
He was also fined USD 100,000 (Ksh12.29 million).
Two Senegalese players were also punished for their conduct toward match officials.
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Iliman Cheikh Baroy Ndiaye and Ismaïla Sarr were each suspended for two official CAF matches after being found guilty of unsporting behaviour toward the referee during the final.
Beyond individual penalties, the Senegalese federation was hit with heavy financial sanctions.
The FSF was fined USD 300,000 (Ksh36.67 million) for the improper conduct of its supporters, which CAF said damaged the image of football and violated the disciplinary code.
A further USD 300,000 (Ksh36.67 million) fine was imposed for the unsporting conduct of players and technical staff, citing breaches of fair play, loyalty, and integrity.
An additional fine of USD 15,000 (Ksh1.9 million) was imposed for team misconduct after five Senegal players were cautioned during the match.
In total, the fines against the FSF amount to USD 615,000 (Ksh79.27 million), excluding the individual fine imposed on the head coach.
Morocco Fined for AFCON Misconduct
Morocco and its football authorities were also sanctioned for their role in the disorder surrounding the final.
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Moroccan international Achraf Hakimi was suspended for two official CAF matches for unsporting behaviour, although one of those matches was suspended for a probationary period of one year, effectively placing him under warning.
Midfielder Ismaël Saibari received a three‑match suspension and was fined USD 100,000 (Ksh12.89 million) following a finding of unsporting conduct.
The CAF Disciplinary Board also imposed a USD 200,000 (Ksh25.78 million) fine on the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football for the inappropriate behaviour of the stadium’s ball boys during the match.
CAF said the decisions were taken in accordance with its regulations and were intended to protect the integrity of its competitions and reinforce standards of conduct at major tournaments.
The governing body stressed that the sanctions followed a thorough disciplinary process involving hearings, written submissions, and examination of audiovisual material from the final.
CAF Rejects Morocco’s Protest
In a separate ruling, the CAF Disciplinary Board rejected the protest filed by the FRMF, which had alleged that FSF violated Articles 82 and 84 of the Africa Cup of Nations Regulations during the Morocco AFCON 2025 final.
The dismissal of the protest leaves the match result and Senegal’s title intact, bringing the disciplinary proceedings to a close.
All suspensions will be served in future CAF competitions, and the fines are payable immediately under CAF regulations.
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