CAF Issues Heavy Sanctions After AFCON 2025 Final Chaos: Senegal and Morocco Punished

The dust has finally settled on a dramatic and ill-tempered TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 Final, with the Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) Disciplinary Board issuing sweeping sanctions against both finalists — Senegal and Morocco.

The decisions, announced following investigations into post-match incidents, underline CAF’s growing intolerance for conduct that undermines officiating, fair play, and the integrity of its flagship competition.

Senegal Hit with Heavy Sporting and Financial Sanctions

The Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF) emerged as the most heavily penalised party, both in terms of suspensions and fines. Central to CAF’s ruling was the conduct of Senegal’s technical bench, players, and supporters.

Head coach Pape Bouna Thiaw received a five-match CAF suspension and a USD 100,000 fine for what CAF described as unsporting conduct that brought the game into disrepute. This is a significant punishment, reflecting CAF’s stance that technical staff must set the tone for discipline and respect, especially in high-pressure finals.

On the pitch, Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaïla Sarr were each suspended for two CAF matches after directing unsporting behaviour towards the referee — a recurring theme CAF appears keen to eradicate amid growing concerns over player intimidation of officials.

Beyond individual sanctions, FSF was fined a combined USD 615,000, broken down into penalties for:

• Improper conduct of supporters,
• Unsporting behaviour by players and technical staff,
• Accumulation of five player cautions.

These fines highlight CAF’s strict liability approach, where federations are held responsible not just for players, but for supporters and team officials alike.

Morocco Also Sanctioned as CAF Targets Matchday Disorder

While Morocco escaped the scale of Senegal’s punishments, the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) was not spared.

Star defender Achraf Hakimi received a two-match suspension, with one match suspended for a year — a clear warning rather than an outright exclusion. Midfielder Ismaël Saibari faced a harsher outcome, receiving a three-match ban and a USD 100,000 fine for unsporting conduct.

CAF also fined FRMF for several off-field incidents that disrupted match integrity:

• USD 200,000 for inappropriate behaviour by ball boys,
• USD 100,000 for players and technical staff invading the VAR review area and obstructing the referee,
• USD 15,000 for supporters’ use of lasers.

The VAR-related fine is particularly notable, signalling CAF’s determination to protect match officials and technology zones from interference — an issue that has increasingly plagued elite African football.

Morocco’s Protest Rejected: CAF Draws a Line

Morocco had lodged a formal protest alleging that Senegal violated Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON Regulations during the final. However, the CAF Disciplinary Board dismissed the protest in its entirety, effectively closing the chapter on any attempt to challenge the match outcome through regulatory channels.

The rejection reinforces a key principle: disciplinary sanctions, even severe ones, do not automatically invalidate match results unless specific regulatory thresholds are met.

Bigger Picture: CAF Sends a Clear Message

Taken together, these decisions mark one of CAF’s most assertive disciplinary interventions in recent AFCON history. The governing body is clearly prioritising:

• Protection of referees and VAR officials,
• Accountability of coaches and federations,
• Crowd control and supporter behaviour,
• Preservation of the competition’s global image.

As African football continues to attract global attention, CAF appears determined to ensure that passion does not descend into chaos — especially on the continent’s biggest stage.

For Senegal and Morocco, the sanctions serve as a costly reminder that success at AFCON now comes with heightened scrutiny — and serious consequences when lines are crossed.