The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has imposed severe disciplinary sanctions on Senegal and Morocco following a series of incidents that marred the conclusion of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 final.
In a statement released after deliberations by its Disciplinary Board, CAF confirmed that several players and officials from both nations were found guilty of breaching competition regulations, prompting bans and significant financial penalties.
Senegal were the hardest hit, with head coach Pape Thiaw receiving a five-match suspension for misconduct during the final. CAF also fined the Senegalese Football Federation a total of $615,000, citing failure to control players and officials, improper conduct on the technical bench, and actions that contributed to post-match disorder.
Morocco were also sanctioned, with a number of players, including high-profile names, handed suspensions for their involvement in confrontations with match officials and security personnel after the final whistle. CAF stated that the behaviour violated its disciplinary code and undermined the spirit of fair play expected at its flagship competition.
“The Africa Cup of Nations represents the pinnacle of African football, and any conduct that brings the competition into disrepute will be dealt with firmly,” CAF said in its statement. “Discipline, respect and integrity remain non-negotiable values.”
The chaotic scenes overshadowed what had otherwise been a highly competitive AFCON tournament and sparked widespread debate about player conduct, officiating decisions and post-match security arrangements.
CAF noted that the sanctions were based on match officials’ reports, security assessments and video evidence, and emphasized that all suspensions will apply across CAF competitions. Both football federations retain the right to appeal the decisions within the timeframe stipulated by CAF regulations.
The governing body reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing discipline and ensuring that future tournaments are conducted in an atmosphere of respect and professionalism.
