Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw has been handed a five-match ban by the Confederation of African Football following a turbulent Africa Cup of Nations final against Morocco earlier this month, CAF confirmed on Wednesday.
In a statement, CAF said Thiaw was found guilty of “unsporting conduct” and “bringing the game into disrepute” during the final played in Rabat on January 18, a match Senegal won 1-0 after extra time.
Senegalese forwards Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr, both of whom play in the English Premier League, were also sanctioned, receiving two-match bans for “unsporting behaviour towards the referee”.
CAF further imposed a total fine of $615,000 on the Senegal Football Federation for multiple breaches committed during the final. The governing body cited the “unsporting conduct of their players and technical staff in violation of the CAF disciplinary code principles of fair play, loyalty and integrity”.
On the Moroccan side, forward Ismael Saibari was suspended for three matches and fined $100,000 for “unsporting behaviour”, while captain and defender Achraf Hakimi received a two-match ban.
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation was fined $200,000 for the “inappropriate behaviour of the stadium ball boys”, with an additional $100,000 penalty imposed for the “improper conduct” of players and technical staff who invaded the VAR review area and obstructed the work of the Congolese referee. A further $15,000 fine was added after Moroccan supporters used lasers to distract Senegalese players, bringing Morocco’s total fine to $315,000.
The final descended into controversy late in normal time when a goal by Ismaila Sarr was disallowed for a foul on Achraf Hakimi, the 2025 African Player of the Year. Morocco were later awarded a penalty after Brahim Diaz was fouled, triggering angry protests from Senegalese players and officials.
Television footage showed Thiaw gesturing towards his players in a manner widely interpreted as instructing them to leave the pitch. Most of the team briefly walked off into the dressing room before star forward Sadio Mane convinced them to return so play could continue.
Morocco failed to capitalise on the penalty, with Diaz’s weak effort saved by goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. The match proceeded into extra time, where Pape Gueye scored the decisive goal that secured Senegal’s second AFCON title.
During the stoppage caused by the penalty incident, some supporters in Senegalese colours threw objects onto the pitch, while others briefly invaded the field before security personnel restored order.
CAF clarified that the sanctions handed to Thiaw and the players apply only to CAF competitions and will not affect preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Senegal are drawn in Group I alongside France, Norway and the winner of an intercontinental playoff involving Bolivia, Suriname and Iraq.
Morocco, who reached the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup, are placed in Group C with Brazil, Scotland and Haiti.
As a result of the ban, Thiaw will be absent from the dugout for five of Senegal’s six 2027 AFCON qualifying matches scheduled for September, October and November, while the affected players will miss the opening two qualifiers.
What you should know
CAF’s sanctions stem from disciplinary breaches during a highly charged AFCON final that featured disputed refereeing decisions, pitch-side protests and temporary stoppages.
While Senegal emerged champions after extra time, the fallout has led to significant suspensions and heavy fines for both federations. The ruling underscores CAF’s stance on protecting match officials and maintaining order during high-stakes fixtures.
Importantly, the bans apply only to CAF competitions, ensuring that both Senegal and Morocco can still prepare at full strength for the 2026 World Cup despite the disciplinary measures.
