The Confederation of African Football disciplinary board on Thursday imposed suspensions and fines on the Senegalese and Moroccan football federations and several players and officials following incidents during the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 final, while rejecting a Moroccan protest that could have changed the outcome of the match.
Senegal defeated host nation Morocco 1–0 in extra time to claim the Africa Cup of Nations title, with Pape Gueye scoring the decisive goal in the 94th minute. It was Senegal’s second continental title, following their 2021 triumph.
CAF said the sanctions were issued for conduct during the final that violated the CAF Disciplinary Code, including actions that “brought the game into disrepute” and breached principles of fair play, loyalty and integrity.
The disciplinary board also rejected a protest lodged by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football alleging violations by Senegal of Articles 82 and 84 of the Africa Cup of Nations regulations related to the final. In its statement, CAF said the protest was dismissed and “did not warrant sanctions affecting the result.” Had it been upheld, CAF regulations would have allowed measures that could have included “awarding the match to Morocco,” “ordering the final to be replayed” or “declaring the match null and void.”
Sanctions against Senegal
Senegal coach Pape Bouna Thiaw was suspended for five official CAF matches and fined $100,000 for “unsporting conduct in violation of the CAF Disciplinary Code principles of fair play and integrity and for bringing the game into disrepute,” CAF said.
Senegal players Iliman Cheikh Baroy Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr were each suspended for two official CAF matches for “unsporting behaviour towards the referee.”
The Fédération Sénégalaise de Football was fined a total of $615,000. CAF imposed a $300,000 fine for “the improper conduct of its supporters, which brought the game into disrepute,” and another $300,000 fine for “the unsporting conduct of their players and technical staff,” which CAF said also damaged the game’s image. The federation was also fined $15,000 for team misconduct after five players received cautions.
Sanctions against Morocco
Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi was suspended for two official CAF matches for “unsporting behaviour,” with one match suspended for one year from the date of the decision.
Midfielder Ismaël Saibari received a three-match suspension and a $100,000 fine for “unsporting behaviour.”
The Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football was fined $315,000. CAF imposed a $200,000 fine for “the inappropriate behaviour of the stadium’s ball boys” during the final, a $100,000 fine after players and technical staff “invaded the VAR review area and obstructed the referee’s work,” and a $15,000 fine for the use of lasers by supporters.
