The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has handed down significant sanctions against both the Senegalese and Moroccan football federations, along with several players and officials, following misconduct during the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 final.
Announcing the decisions through its Disciplinary Board, CAF said the actions of players, technical staff, and supporters during and after the final breached multiple provisions of the CAF Disciplinary Code, including principles of fair play, integrity, and conduct that brings the game into disrepute.
The Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF) received the heaviest punishments. Senegal head coach Pape Bouna Thiaw was suspended for five official CAF matches for unsporting conduct and actions that brought the game into disrepute.
He was also fined USD 100,000.
Two Senegalese players—Iliman Cheikh Baroy Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr—were suspended for two CAF matches each for misconduct towards match officials.
At the federation level, CAF fined the FSF USD 300,000 for the behaviour of its supporters, citing violations of disciplinary principles.
An additional USD 300,000 fine was imposed for unsporting conduct by players and technical staff, while USD 15,000 was levied for team misconduct following cautions issued to five players during the match.
The Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) was also sanctioned for player, staff, and supporter behaviour. Defender Achraf Hakimi received a two-match suspension, with one match suspended for one year, for unsporting conduct.
Midfielder Ismaël Saibari was handed a three-match suspension and fined USD 100,000.
CAF further fined the FRMF USD 200,000 for inappropriate behaviour by the stadium’s ball boys.
An additional USD 100,000 fine was imposed after Moroccan players and technical staff invaded the VAR review area, obstructing the referee’s duties—an action CAF said breached Articles 82 and 83 of its Disciplinary Code.
Supporter misconduct was also penalised, with the Moroccan federation fined USD 15,000 for the use of laser devices during the match.
The Moroccan federation had submitted a formal protest alleging that Senegal violated Articles 82 and 84 of AFCON regulations.
CAF’s Disciplinary Board dismissed the protest entirely, ruling that no breach by the Senegalese federation occurred in relation to the 2025 AFCON final.
The sanctions underscore CAF’s commitment to upholding fairness, integrity, and discipline at the highest level of African football, particularly in the continent’s most prestigious tournament.
