CAF Issues Severe Sanctions After AFCON Final Chaos: Coaches, Players Suspended, Fines

CAF Issues Severe Sanctions After AFCON Final Chaos: Coaches, Players Suspended, Fines

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has imposed sweeping sanctions on the football federations of Senegal and Morocco, suspending key coaches and players and levying fines totaling over $1 million following the unprecedented chaos that marred the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final.

The disciplinary action comes after a final match on January 18 that descended into farce, featuring a team walk-off, pitch invasions, and allegations of gamesmanship, overshadowing Senegal’s 1-0 extra-time victory.

The CAF Disciplinary Board found both nations guilty of multiple violations of the CAF Disciplinary Code relating to fair play, integrity, and bringing the game into disrepute.

Head Coach Pape Bouna Thiaw: Suspended for five official CAF matches and fined $100,000 for unsporting conduct and bringing the game into disrepute.

Players Iliman Ndiaye & Ismaila Sarr: Each suspended for two official CAF matches for unsporting behaviour towards the referee.

Football Federation (FSF): Fined a total of $615,000. This includes $300,000 for supporter misconduct, $300,000 for the unsporting conduct of players and staff, and $15,000 for the team receiving five cautions.

Moroccan national team

Moroccan sanctions include:
Player Ismaël Saibari: Suspended for three official CAF matches and fined $100,000 for unsporting behaviour.

Captain Achraf Hakimi: Suspended for two CAF matches, with one match suspended for one year.

Football Federation (FRMF): Fined a total of $315,000. This includes a $200,000 fine specifically for the “inappropriate behaviour of the stadium’s ball boys,” $100,000 for players and staff invading the VAR review area, and $15,000 for supporters’ use of lasers.

All suspensions apply only to CAF-sanctioned matches and will not affect either team’s participation in the upcoming FIFA World Cup in June.

The sanctions stem from a chain of events that turned the continent’s showpiece final into what Morocco coach Walid Regragui called a “shameful” spectacle.

CAF’s decisive action aims to curb the deep-seated mistrust and perceived gamesmanship that reached a climax during the final.

Analysts noted that Senegal’s walk-off was seen by many across Africa not just as a reaction to one decision, but as a protest against a broader narrative of unfair treatment throughout the tournament hosted by Morocco.

CAF dismissed an official protest from the Moroccan federation that sought to have Senegal stripped of the title and Morocco declared winners due to the walk-off.

The incidents have cast an unwelcome shadow on Morocco’s role as a co-host of the 2030 FIFA World Cup with Spain and Portugal. The behavior of officials and ball boys has drawn international scrutiny, with the Spanish football federation president stating the scenes “damaged world football”.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who was present at the final, condemned the “unacceptable scenes,” stating that “violence cannot be tolerated in our sport” and that teams must always respect match officials.

While the disciplinary measures close the book on the official investigation, the fallout from one of football’s most chaotic finals continues to resonate, highlighting significant challenges for the governance and perception of African football on the global stage.