AFCON FINAL: CAF SUSPENDS HAKIMI, THIAW, FINES MORROCO, SENEGAL
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Following a tumultuous Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final against Morocco last month, Senegal coach Pape Thiaw was banned for five Confederation of African Football (CAF) games, it was confirmed on Wednesday. The tactician was accused of “unsporting conduct” and “putting the game into disrepute” during the January 18 decider in Rabat, which Senegal won 1-0 after extra time, according to a CAF statement.
Senegalese forwards Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr, who play in the English Premier League, received two-match bans for “unsporting behaviour towards the referee”.
For a number of infractions committed during the final, the Senegal Football Federation (FSF) was fined a total of $615,000.
“Unsporting conduct by their players and technical staff in violation of the CAF disciplinary code principles of fair play, loyalty, and integrity” was one of these. For “unsporting behavior,” Captain and defender Achraf Hakimi received a two-match suspension, while Moroccan forward Ismael Saibari received a three-match ban and a $100,000 fine. The “inappropriate behavior of the stadium ball guys” resulted in a $200,000 fine for the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF). Players and technical personnel who entered the VAR review area and interfered with the Congolese referee’s job were fined an additional $100,000 for their “improper conduct.”
The total came to $315,000 as Moroccan supporters attempted to divert Senegalese players with lasers, resulting in a further $15,000 fine. After a Sarr goal was disallowed late in regular time due to a foul on 2025 African Player of the Year Hakimi, the AFCON final took a number of dramatic turns.
Morocco were then awarded a penalty when star forward Brahim Diaz was fouled, sparking furious Senegalese protests.
TV coverage of the final showed Thiaw gesturing toward his players. This action was widely interpreted as him telling his team to leave the field.
Most of the team walked off and went to the change room, but star forward Sadio Mane did not follow them and later persuaded his teammates to return to the pitch so that play could resume.
Morocco missed the long-delayed penalty with a weak shot from Diaz saved by Edouard Mendy. The match then went to extra time and Pape Gueye scored to give Senegal a second AFCON title.
While play was halted over the disputed penalty, some supporters wearing Senegalese colours threw projectiles and others temporarily invaded the pitch before police and security staff intervened.
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