The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has handed down a series of disciplinary sanctions against both the Senegalese and Moroccan football federations, along with several players and officials, following conduct during and after the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final in Rabat.

The sanctions come after an intensely disputed final in which Senegal defeated Morocco 1-0 in extra time, but not before heated scenes that saw players, officials, and supporters clash with match officials and disrupt play.

Despite being crowned AFCON 2025 champions, Senegal faced some of the toughest penalties:

  • Head Coach Pape Bouna Thiaw was suspended for five official CAF matches and fined USD 100,000 for “unsporting conduct” and bringing the game into disrepute.

  • Players Iliman Cheikh Baroy Ndiaye and Ismaïla Sarr were each banned for two CAF matches for unsporting behaviour toward the referee.

  • The Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF) was fined USD 615,000—including USD 300,000 for improper conduct by supporters, USD 300,000 for unsporting behaviour by players and staff, and USD 15,000 for team misconduct linked to multiple cautions.

Morocco also faced multiple penalties for breaches of the CAF Disciplinary Code:

  • Achraf Hakimi received a two-match suspension, with one match suspended for one year, for unsporting behaviour.

  • Ismaël Saibari was banned for three CAF matches and fined USD 100,000.

  • The Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) was fined USD 315,000 for a series of infractions, including inappropriate behaviour by stadium ball boys, players and technical staff invading the VAR review area, and the use of laser devices by supporters.

CAF also dismissed a formal protest lodged by the Moroccan federation alleging that Senegal had breached competition regulations during the final. The disciplinary board ruled that the complaint did not meet the criteria to overturn the match outcome.

The AFCON final was overshadowed by controversy when a late VAR decision led to heightened tensions. Senegal briefly walked off the pitch in protest after Morocco was awarded a stoppage-time penalty, only returning after intervention by team leaders. The penalty was saved, and Senegal eventually won the match in extra time.