CAF fines Senegal and Morocco over misconduct, confirms Senegal as AFCON 2025 Champions

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has upheld Senegal’s AFCON 2025 triumph while imposing heavy sanctions on both Senegal and Morocco over misconduct that marred the tournament final in Rabat.

In disciplinary rulings issued on Thursday, January 29, CAF confirmed Senegal as champions after dismissing Morocco’s appeal challenging the match outcome. The continental body ruled that the protest lodged by Morocco lacked merit, despite Senegal briefly walking off the pitch during the closing stages of the final.

Senegal, however, was fined a total of $615,000 for supporters’ misconduct, the behaviour of players and officials, and disciplinary breaches during the game. Head coach Pape Thiaw received a five-match ban from CAF competitions and a $100,000 fine for conduct CAF said brought the game into disrepute.

Players Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr were also handed two-match suspensions each for unsporting behaviour towards the referee.

Host nation Morocco was similarly sanctioned, with CAF imposing fines amounting to $415,000 for misconduct involving players, officials, ball boys and supporters. Midfielder Ismail Saibari was fined $100,000 and banned for three matches, while captain Achraf Hakimi was suspended for two CAF matches.

The AFCON final descended into controversy late in normal time after Morocco were awarded a penalty following a VAR review, a decision that provoked strong protests from Senegal’s bench and players. Coach Pape Thiaw ordered his team off the pitch in protest, prompting intervention from captain Sadio Mané before play eventually resumed.

CAF said the sanctions reflect its commitment to enforcing discipline and safeguarding the integrity of African football, bringing the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations to a close with firm action against all parties involved.

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