The Confederation of African Football (CAF) Disciplinary Board has imposed a series of sanctions on the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF), the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF), as well as several players and officials, following incidents that occurred during and after the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final held at the Stade Mohammed V in Rabat on January 18, 2026. In a statement published on its official website on Wednesday night, CAF said the measures were taken for violations of the CAF Disciplinary Code, including breaches of the principles of “fair play, loyalty and integrity” during the tense closing stages of the final match and its aftermath.
According to CAF, the sanctions against Senegal were particularly extensive, beginning with the suspension of the head coach of the Senegalese national team, Pape Bouna Thiaw, for five official CAF matches for his “unsporting conduct” and “for bringing the game into disrepute.” CAF further stated, “Mr Pape Bouna Thiaw was also fined USD 100,000,” underscoring the seriousness with which the disciplinary body viewed his actions during the match.
CAF also turned its attention to individual Senegalese players, announcing that “Mr Iliman Cheikh Baroy Ndiaye” was suspended for two official CAF matches “for his unsporting behaviour towards the referee.” Similarly, the board ruled “to suspend Senegalese national team player, Mr Ismaila Sarr for two (2) official CAF matches for his unsporting behaviour towards the referee,” indicating that player conduct toward match officials was a central concern in the disciplinary review.
The Fédération Sénégalaise de Football itself was handed multiple financial penalties. CAF stated, “To fine the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF), USD 300,000 for the improper conduct of its supporters, which brought the game into disrepute in violation of the CAF Disciplinary Code principles of fair play and integrity.” This was followed by another significant sanction: “To fine the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF), USD 300,000 for the unsporting conduct of their players and technical staff in violation of the CAF Disciplinary Code principles of fair play, loyalty and integrity. The unsporting conduct of their players and the technical staff also brought the game into disrepute.”
CAF further noted a separate fine of “USD 15,000 for the misconduct of its national team, due to five (5) of its players having received cautions,” reflecting what the board described as a pattern of disciplinary issues during the high-stakes encounter. These cumulative sanctions against Senegal highlighted the board’s view that the situation extended beyond isolated incidents to broader team and supporter behavior.
With regard to Morocco, CAF announced that national team defender Achraf Hakimi was suspended “for two official CAF matches, with one of the matches suspended for one year from the date of the decision, for unsporting behaviour.” This conditional suspension indicated that part of the punishment would only be activated if further misconduct occurred within the specified period.
Midfielder Ismaël Saibari also faced disciplinary action, as CAF ruled he would be “suspended for three official CAF matches and fined 100,000 dollars for unsporting behaviour.” These sanctions were part of what CAF described as efforts to hold individual players accountable for actions that undermined the spirit of the game and respect for officials.
The Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football was likewise fined for several incidents during the final. CAF imposed a fine of “200,000 dollars for the inappropriate behaviour of stadium ball boys during the final,” suggesting that the actions of non-players also contributed to the disorder. The board further fined the FRMF “100,000 dollars for the improper conduct of its players and technical staff, who invaded the VAR review area and obstructed the referee’s work.”
CAF also addressed the behavior of supporters, issuing “an additional fine of 15,000 dollars… for the use of lasers by Moroccan supporters during the match,” an action considered dangerous and disruptive. These measures reflected CAF’s emphasis on the responsibility of host federations to ensure proper conduct by all individuals associated with the event.
The background to these sanctions lies in the dramatic and chaotic closing moments of the final, which saw tensions escalate after Senegal had a goal disallowed for offside while the score was tied at 0-0. Shortly afterward, a VAR review resulted in a penalty being awarded to host Morocco in the eighth minute of added time, a decision that sparked protests from the Senegalese bench and players.
Unsatisfied with the decision, Senegal’s head coach Pape Thiaw led his players off the pitch in protest, prompting what CAF described as “wild scenes” that required intervention from security personnel. After a delay and discussions with officials, the Senegalese team was persuaded to return to the field, allowing the match to resume amid heightened tension.
Morocco’s penalty was ultimately saved by Senegal’s goalkeeper Édouard Mendy, a moment that sent the game into extra time. In the fourth minute of the first half of extra time, midfielder Pape Gueye scored what proved to be the decisive goal, securing Senegal’s Africa Cup of Nations title despite the earlier turmoil.
Both CAF and FIFA President Gianni Infantino condemned the conduct that marred the final, emphasizing the need for respect for the rules of the game and for match officials. Their reactions underscored the broader concern within football governance about maintaining discipline and order during major continental competitions.
Meanwhile, CAF also ruled on a protest lodged by the FRMF concerning alleged violations of Articles 82 and 84 of the Africa Cup of Nations regulations by the FSF. In its statement, CAF said, “The CAF Disciplinary Board rejected the protest lodged by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football regarding alleged violations by the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football of Articles 82 and 84 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations, relating to the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 Final.”