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The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) has issued a sweeping set of disciplinary sanctions against the football federations of Senegal and Morocco following chaotic scenes during the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 final in Rabat.
The disciplinary action was announced by CAF’s Disciplinary Board on January 28, 2026, after reviewing incidents that violated multiple provisions of the CAF Disciplinary Code.
Senegal bore the brunt of the punishments, with head coach Pape Bouna Thiaw suspended for five official CAF matches and fined $100,000 for “unsporting conduct” and actions deemed to have brought the game into disrepute.
Two key Senegalese internationals, Iliman Cheikh Baroy Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr, were each handed two-match suspensions for unsporting behaviour towards the referee.
CAF also fined the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF) a total of $615,000 including $300,000 for improper conduct by supporters and another $300,000 for the unsporting behavior of players and technical staff during the final. An additional $15,000 fine was imposed after five Senegal players received cautions.
Morocco’s Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) was also sanctioned. Defender Achraf Hakimi was suspended for two official matches; one of which is conditionally suspended for a year while midfielder Ismaël Saibari received a three-match ban and a $100,000 fine for unsporting conduct.
The FRMF was fined $315,000 in total, including $200,000 for inappropriate behaviour by stadium ball boys, $100,000 for players and staff invading the VAR review area, and $15,000 for supporters using laser devices.
CAF also dismissed a formal protest lodged by the Moroccan federation alleging that Senegal violated specific competition regulations, effectively closing the disciplinary proceedings linked to the final.
The final itself, won 1–0 by Senegal after extra time, was marred by unrest after controversial decisions late in regular time, including a disallowed Senegalese goal and a late VAR-awarded penalty for Morocco that was missed. Furious reactions from players and staff contributed to the disciplinary fallout.
The sanctions apply to CAF competitions and are not expected to directly affect preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
