The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has handed Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw a five-match suspension and a $100,000 fine for “unsporting conduct” following his decision to order his players off the pitch during the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final against Morocco.
In a decision released on Thursday, CAF also imposed a $615,000 fine on the Senegalese Football Federation over the team’s actions and the conduct of Senegal supporters at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium during the final.
The CAF disciplinary committee further punished two Senegal players, Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr, with two-match bans each for “unsporting behaviour towards the referee”.
Morocco was not spared sanctions for its role in the disorder that marred the AFCON final.
The Moroccan Football Federation was fined a total of $315,000 for multiple violations, including the conduct of ball boys, players and officials encroaching into the VAR review area, obstructing the referee, and the use of lasers by home supporters.
Achraf Hakimi and Ismael Saibari received one-match and two-match suspensions respectively for throwing the towel of Senegal goalkeeper Eduard Mendy into the crowd during the rain-soaked encounter.
CAF, however, rejected Morocco’s appeal seeking to overturn the match result following Senegal’s prolonged walk-off.
The 2025 AFCON final was plunged into controversy after the referee, following a VAR review, awarded Morocco a late penalty for a foul on Brahim Diaz.
In response, Thiaw instructed his players and officials to leave the pitch and retreat to the dugout. The situation escalated in the stands, with Senegal supporters clashing with stewards and several scuffles breaking out.
The protest by the Senegal players and coaching staff lasted nearly 20 minutes before they returned to allow the match to continue.
Senegal eventually weathered the storm as Brahim Diaz saw his Panenka penalty saved, before Pape Gueye’s stunning strike secured a second AFCON title for the Teranga Lions.