By Angu Lesley
Football Writer,kick442.com-Cameroon
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) Disciplinary Board has imposed sweeping sanctions on the Senegalese and Moroccan football federations, several players, and coaching staff following incidents that marred the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 final.
In a statement released after its latest sitting, the disciplinary body cited multiple violations of the CAF Disciplinary Code, including unsporting conduct, failure to respect match officials, crowd misconduct, and actions that brought the game into disrepute.
Senegal Hit Hard: Thiaw Banned, Players Suspended, Heavy Fines Issued
Senegal emerged as the most heavily sanctioned party, with national team head coach Pape Bouna Thiaw receiving a five-match suspension from all official CAF competitions. CAF ruled that Thiaw’s behaviour constituted unsporting conduct and violated the principles of fair play and integrity. He was also slapped with a USD 100,000 fine.
Two Senegalese internationals were also punished for their conduct towards match officials. Iliman Cheikh Baroy Ndiaye and Ismaïla Sarr were each handed two-match suspensions for unsporting behaviour directed at the referee.
Beyond individual sanctions, CAF levied substantial financial penalties on the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF). The federation was fined:
• USD 300,000 for the improper conduct of its supporters, which CAF said damaged the image of the game;
• USD 300,000 for the unsporting conduct of its players and technical staff;
• USD 15,000 after five Senegal players received cautions during the final.
CAF noted that the collective behaviour of the Senegalese delegation violated its principles of loyalty, integrity and sporting ethics.
Morocco Also Penalised: Hakimi, Saibari and Federation Sanctioned
The Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) was not spared either, with disciplinary measures taken against key members of the Moroccan camp.
Star defender Achraf Hakimi was suspended for two CAF matches, although one of the bans has been suspended for a probationary period of one year. The decision was based on his unsporting conduct during the final.
Midfielder Ismaël Saibari received a heavier punishment: a three-match suspension and a USD 100,000 fine.
CAF also fined the Moroccan federation for organisational and crowd-related offences:
• USD 200,000 for the inappropriate behaviour of stadium ball boys;
• USD 100,000 after Moroccan players and technical staff invaded the VAR review area and obstructed the referee’s work;
• USD 15,000 for the use of laser pointers by Moroccan supporters inside the stadium.
According to CAF, these actions violated Articles 82 and 83 of its Disciplinary Code, which govern respect for match officials and the integrity of competition.
CAF Rejects Morocco’s Protest Against Senegal
In a separate ruling, CAF dismissed a protest filed by the Moroccan federation against Senegal. The FRMF had alleged that the FSF breached Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON regulations during the final.
However, the Disciplinary Board ruled that the complaint was unfounded and formally rejected the protest, bringing an end to the legal chapter surrounding the controversial match.
Strong Message From CAF
The sanctions send a clear warning from African football’s governing body as it seeks to clamp down on indiscipline, intimidation of officials and crowd misconduct at major tournaments.
With suspensions set to affect future CAF competitions and fines running into hundreds of thousands of dollars, both Senegal and Morocco will feel the consequences long after the final whistle of the 2025 AFCON showdown.
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