AFCON 2025 Final: Finally, CAF Suspends Hakimi, Thiaw, Fines Senegal, Morocco

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has handed out a string of suspensions and fines to the football federations of Senegal and Morocco, as well as several players and officials, following chaotic scenes during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final in Rabat penultimate week.

In a statement released Wednesday night, CAF’s Disciplinary Board said the sanctions were imposed for “violations of the CAF Disciplinary Code, including breaches of the principles of fair play, loyalty and integrity,” during and after the match.

Senegal’s head coach, Pape Bouna Thiaw, was suspended for five official CAF matches and fined USD 100,000 for what the governing body described as “unsporting conduct” and “bringing the game into disrepute.”

CAF also announced a series of player sanctions, including the suspension of Iliman Cheikh Baroy Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr for two official matches each “for unsporting behaviour towards the referee.”

The Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF) was hit with multiple fines totalling over USD 615,000.

These include USD 300,000 for the improper conduct of its supporters; USD 300,000 for unsporting behaviour by players and technical staff; and USD 15,000 for misconduct resulting from five players receiving cautions.

On the Moroccan side, star defender Achraf Hakimi was suspended for two CAF matches, with one match suspended for a year for unsporting behaviour.

Midfielder Ismaël Saibari received a three-match suspension and a USD 100,000 fine.

The Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) was fined USD 200,000 for “the inappropriate behaviour of stadium ball boys” during the final. It also incurred another USD 100,000 fine for “the improper conduct of its players and technical staff, who invaded the VAR review area and obstructed the referee’s work.” Additionally, CAF imposed a USD 15,000 fine for the use of lasers by Moroccan supporters.

LEADERSHIP reports that the highly anticipated final, held on January 18, 2026, at the Stade Mohammed V in Rabat, descended into chaos in the final moments of regulation time. With the score tied at 0-0, Senegal had a goal disallowed for offside before Morocco was awarded a controversial penalty after a VAR review in stoppage time.

Outraged by the decision, Senegal’s coach Pape Thiaw led his team off the pitch in protest, causing a lengthy delay before play eventually resumed. Moroccan captain Hakim Ziyech’s penalty was saved by Senegal’s goalkeeper Édouard Mendy, sending the match into extra time.

Senegal’s Pape Gueye ultimately secured victory with a goal in the fourth minute of extra time, sealing the West Africans’ AFCON 2025 title.

In the aftermath, both CAF President Patrice Motsepe and FIFA President Gianni Infantino condemned the conduct of players and officials from both teams, describing the scenes as “unacceptable and contrary to the spirit of football.”

CAF also confirmed it had dismissed a protest lodged by the Moroccan federation over alleged regulatory breaches by Senegal.

“The CAF Disciplinary Board rejected the protest lodged by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football regarding alleged violations by the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football of Articles 82 and 84 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations,” the statement read in part.

The decision brought a disciplinary close to one of the most controversial AFCON finals in recent memory, even as both nations face the prospect of missing key personnel in upcoming international fixtures.