AFCON Final: CAF Fines Senegal, Morocco FAs, Coach, Players $1.115 Million

…Suspends Pape Thiaw, Hakimi

By Amaechi Agbo

Africa Football umpire, the Confederation of Africa Football, CAF has fined Senegal and Morocco Football federations the sum of $1.115 Million.
Additionally, Senegal Coach Mr Pape Bouna Thiaw was handed a five-match ban with $100, 000 fine while Morocco captain, Achraf Hakimi was sus pended for two matches with one differed.
The sanctions followed the Melee that engulfed the Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON 2025 final between Senegal and Morocco on Sunday January 18.
Arrising from its meeting on Wednesday, CAF handed various sanction on both federations, and players for their roles in the fracas which led tp the final match being interrupted for about 15 minutes when Senegal players walked off the pitch after they felt that the referee had awarded a controversial penalty to the host.
CAF Disciplinary Board imposed sanction as follows: suspends Mr Pape Bouna Thiaw, the Head Coach of the Senegalese National Team, for five (5) official CAF matches for his unsporting conduct in violation of the CAF Disciplinary Code principles of fair play and integrity and for bringing the game into disrepute.
Mr Pape Bouna Thiaw was also fined USD 100,000.
“Suspends the Senegalese National Team player, Mr Iliman Cheikh Baroy Ndiaye for two (2) official CAF matches, for his unsporting behaviour towards the referee. Suspends Senegalese National Team player, Mr Ismaila Sarr for two (2) official CAF matches for his unsporting behaviour towards the referee.
“Fines 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 and another 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 as well as USD 15,000 for the misconduct of its National Team, due to five (5) of its players having received cautions,” CAF said
On the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF), the CAF Disciplinary Board decided:
“To suspend the Moroccan National Team player, Mr Achraf Hakimi for two (2) official CAF matches, with one (1) these matches being suspended for one (1) year from the date of this decision, for his unsporting behaviour. To suspend the Moroccan National Team player, Mr Ismaël Saibari for three (3) official CAF matches for his unsporting behaviour. Mr Ismaël Saibari was also fined USD 100,000.
“To fine the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) USD 200,000, for the inappropriate behaviour of the stadium’s ball boys during the aforementioned match. USD 100,000 for the improper conduct of their National Team players and technical staff, who invaded the VAR review area and obstructed the referee’s work, in violation of the principles of fair play and integrity, as stated in Articles 82 and 83 of the CAF Disciplinary Code and USD 15,000 for the use of lasers by its supporters during the aforementioned match.”
CAF struck out Morocco’s protest seeking to sanction Senegal for being in violations of Articles 82 and 84 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations during the final match
As the sanctions sink in, it is expected that the affected federations may appeal the punishment at the Court of Arbitration for Sports, CAS.