The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final may have crowned a champion, but the controversy surrounding the match continues to echo across African football. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has imposed sweeping sanctions on Senegal, Morocco, several players, and team officials following dramatic and disorderly scenes during and after the final in Rabat.
In a statement released Wednesday night, CAF said its Disciplinary Board found multiple violations of its code relating to fair play, loyalty, integrity, and conduct that brought the game into disrepute.
Senegal’s head coach, Pape Bouna Thiaw, received one of the heaviest punishments. He was suspended for five official CAF matches and fined $100,000 for unsporting conduct and for damaging the image of the game. Two Senegalese players, Iliman Cheikh Baroy Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr, were each suspended for two official CAF matches for their behaviour toward the referee.
The Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF) was also penalised financially on several fronts. The body was fined $300,000 for the improper conduct of its supporters, which CAF said tarnished the image of the match. Another $300,000 fine was issued for the unsporting behaviour of the team’s players and technical staff, while an additional $15,000 penalty followed after five Senegalese players received cautions during the game.
Morocco also faced significant disciplinary action. Defender Achraf Hakimi was handed a two-match suspension for unsporting behaviour, although one of those matches was suspended for a year from the date of the decision. Midfielder Ismaël Saibari was banned for three official CAF matches and fined $100,000.
CAF fined the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) $200,000 over the conduct of stadium ball boys during the final. A further $100,000 penalty was imposed after Moroccan players and technical staff entered the VAR review area and obstructed the referee’s work. Moroccan supporters’ use of lasers during the match resulted in another $15,000 fine.
The sanctions stem from a final that spiraled into chaos at the Stade Mohammed V on January 18, 2026. With the score locked at 0–0 late in the game, Senegal had a goal disallowed for offside. Shortly after, a VAR review awarded host nation Morocco a penalty deep into added time. In protest, Coach Thiaw led his players off the pitch, sparking confusion and tense scenes that required security intervention.
After a delay, Senegal returned to the field. Morocco’s penalty was saved by goalkeeper Édouard Mendy, and the match moved into extra time, where Pape Gueye scored the decisive goal to seal Senegal’s AFCON triumph.
Despite lifting the trophy, the aftermath proved costly. CAF also rejected a protest filed by Morocco alleging regulatory violations by Senegal, ruling that there was no basis for the complaint. What should have been remembered solely as a dramatic final is now etched in AFCON history as one of its most turbulent and most heavily sanctioned.