Senegal and Morocco are facing significant financial penalties and suspensions after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) ruled on misconduct during the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 final in Rabat.
Ten days after Senegal lifted the trophy with a 1–0 extra-time victory over hosts Morocco, CAF has confirmed disciplinary measures against both federations, citing unsporting behaviour by players, officials and supporters that disrupted the final.
Senegal fined over R13 million, coach and players suspended
CAF has fined Senegal more than R13 million following incidents that unfolded during and after the final. The sanctions relate to unsporting conduct by team officials, players and supporters.
Senegal head coach Pape Bouna Thiaw has been handed a five-match suspension for his role in leading a protest that saw Senegalese players briefly leave the pitch. The walk-off followed a controversial refereeing decision in which a late Senegal goal was disallowed, with the team alleging bias in favour of the host nation.
Players Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr have each received two-match suspensions for their involvement in the protests and related incidents.
CAF said the actions undermined the integrity of the final and violated disciplinary regulations governing conduct at major tournaments.
Morocco also sanctioned despite hosting final
Morocco, despite reaching the final on home soil, has not escaped punishment. CAF fined the Moroccan Football Federation more than R7.4 million for a range of offences, including unsporting conduct, obstruction of match officials and supporters’ use of laser pointers during the match.
Defender Achraf Hakimi has been suspended for two matches, although one of those matches has been suspended for a year, effectively placing him on probation. Midfielder Ismael Saibari has been handed a three-match ban.
CAF noted that the use of lasers by fans and interference with referees posed safety risks and affected the orderly conduct of the final.
Protest dismissed, title confirmed
CAF also rejected Morocco’s protest against Senegal, which alleged breaches of competition regulations during the final. The governing body confirmed that no rules had been violated in a manner that would affect the outcome of the match.
As a result, Senegal’s 1–0 extra-time victory stands, officially confirming the West African nation as AFCON 2025 champions.
A costly end to Africa’s biggest football event
The sanctions bring an expensive and controversial end to what was otherwise a tightly contested AFCON tournament. While Senegal leave Morocco as champions, the financial penalties and suspensions will carry consequences into future competitions.
For Morocco, the ruling is a reminder that hosting major tournaments comes with heightened responsibility for crowd control and match-day conduct. For CAF, the decisions signal a firm stance on discipline, even when the continent’s biggest teams and occasions are involved.
