The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) has imposed severe disciplinary sanctions on Senegal and host nation Morocco following a series of serious incidents during the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 final.
In a statement released after deliberations by its Disciplinary Board, CAF confirmed that the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF), the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF), as well as several players and officials from both teams, were found guilty of breaching key provisions of the CAF Disciplinary Code. The violations related to fair play, integrity, and conduct deemed to have brought the game into disrepute.
Senegal bore the brunt of the punishment. Head coach Pape Bouna Thiaw was handed a five-match suspension from official CAF competitions and fined USD 100,000 for unsporting conduct that CAF said damaged the image of the game.
Two Senegalese players, Iliman Cheikh Baroy Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr, were each suspended for two matches for inappropriate behaviour towards the referee during the tense final.
CAF also imposed heavy financial penalties on the FSF. The federation was fined USD 300,000 for the improper conduct of Senegalese supporters and another USD 300,000 for unsporting behaviour by the team’s players and technical staff. An additional USD 15,000 fine was levied after five Senegal players received yellow cards during the match.
Morocco were not spared, with CAF citing multiple violations involving players, officials, and match-day operations.
Star defender Achraf Hakimi received a two-match suspension, although one of the matches was suspended for a probationary period of one year. Midfielder Ismaël Saibari was handed a three-match ban and fined USD 100,000 for unsporting conduct.
The FRMF was fined USD 200,000 over the inappropriate behaviour of stadium ball boys, while another USD 100,000 fine was imposed after Moroccan players and members of the technical staff invaded the VAR review area and obstructed the referee’s duties. CAF also fined Morocco USD 15,000 following reports that supporters used laser devices during the final.
CAF further addressed a formal protest filed by the FRMF, which alleged that Senegal violated Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON regulations. Morocco had argued that Senegal should be stripped of the title after allegedly abandoning the match by walking off the pitch.
However, the Disciplinary Board rejected the protest in its entirety, ruling that the claims were unfounded.
As a result, Senegal have officially been confirmed as AFCON 2025 champions, bringing an end to post-final controversy surrounding the tournament.
