CAF Sanctions Senegal and Morocco After Chaotic AFCON 2025 Final, Confirms Senegal as Champions
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has imposed significant sanctions on both Senegal and Morocco following a series of incidents that marred the closing moments of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final, while officially confirming Senegal as champions of the tournament.
In a disciplinary statement released on Thursday, January 29, 2026, CAF detailed the following penalties:
Senegal
- Total fine: $615,000
- $300,000 for supporters’ misconduct
- $300,000 for misconduct by players and officials
- $15,000 for five yellow cards accumulated during the final
- Head coach Pape Thiaw: Five-match suspension from official CAF competitions + $100,000 fine for conduct deemed to have brought the game into disrepute
- Players Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr: Each suspended for two official CAF matches for unsporting behaviour towards the referee
Morocco
- Total fine: $415,000
- $200,000 for misconduct by stadium ball boys
- $100,000 for misbehaviour by players and officials
- $15,000 for fans’ use of laser pointers during the final
- Midfielder Ismail Saibari: $100,000 fine + three-match CAF suspension
- Captain Achraf Hakimi: Two-match suspension
CAF rejected Morocco’s appeal to strip Senegal of the title due to the Senegalese team briefly walking off the pitch in protest. The continental body ruled that the appeal lacked merit, officially declaring Senegal as AFCON 2025 champions.
Recap of the Chaotic Final Moments
The drama unfolded in the dying moments of normal time when Morocco were awarded a controversial late penalty following a tussle in the box involving Real Madrid midfielder Brahim Díaz.
After a prolonged VAR review, referee Jean-Jacques Ndala pointed to the spot — a decision that triggered furious reactions from Senegal’s players and technical team.
Head coach Pape Thiaw, incensed by the call, ordered his players off the pitch in protest. The match was halted for approximately 17 minutes.
Sadio Mané, Senegal’s captain, was seen appealing to his teammates as they headed toward the tunnel. Some hesitated before eventually following him off. Mané later sprinted down the tunnel as tensions continued to rise.
Brahim Díaz eventually took the penalty after the resumption but missed, allowing Senegal to hold on for the win after Pape Gueye scored the only goal four minutes into extra time.
The walk-off, confrontations between fans and security personnel, and overall scenes were widely condemned by CAF and FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who described the behaviour of some Senegal players and supporters as “unacceptable”.
Both federations filed formal complaints, but CAF’s disciplinary panel has now ruled decisively, closing the chapter on one of the most controversial finals in recent AFCON history while upholding Senegal’s victory on the field.
