The Confederation of African Football (CAF) Disciplinary Committee has handed out fines and sanctions to both Senegal and Morocco following incidents during the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The match, played at Rabat’s Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium on January 18, ended 1-0 in favor of Senegal after extra time, securing the Teranga Lions their second AFCON title. However, the game was overshadowed by controversies, including Senegal’s threat to abandon the match after a contentious penalty decision in Morocco’s favor near the end of regulation time.
Despite the tension, play resumed, and Morocco’s Brahim Diaz missed the penalty in unusual fashion. Senegal ultimately clinched victory in extra time, with Pape Gueye scoring in the 94th minute.
CAF’s Disciplinary Committee imposed penalties on the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF), the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF), and several individual players and officials from both teams.
Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw received the strictest individual sanction, being suspended for five official CAF matches for unsporting conduct and actions that brought the game into disrepute. He was also fined $100,000.
Two Senegalese players, Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr, were suspended for two CAF matches each due to unsporting behavior toward match officials.
The FSF was fined a total of $615,000: $300,000 for misconduct by Senegalese supporters, $300,000 for unsporting behavior by players and technical staff, and an additional $15,000 due to five players receiving cautions during the final.
Morocco also faced sanctions after multiple incidents. Atlas Lions captain Achraf Hakimi was suspended for two official CAF matches, with one match suspended for one year, for unsporting conduct. Ismaël Saibari received a three-match suspension and a $100,000 fine related to previous towel incidents involving Moroccan matches.
The FRMF was fined a total of $315,000, including $200,000 for the inappropriate behavior of stadium ball boys and $100,000 for Moroccan players and technical staff who interfered with the VAR review and referee decisions, violating Articles 82 and 83 of the CAF Disciplinary Code. A further $15,000 fine was imposed due to laser use by Moroccan supporters.
CAF also rejected a formal protest lodged by the FRMF, which had claimed violations by the FSF under Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON regulations. The complaint was dismissed entirely, upholding Senegal’s victory.
