CAF Hands Down Unprecedented Bans After AFCON Final Chaos

The aftermath of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 Final has sent shockwaves across the African football community, as the Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced a slew of unprecedented disciplinary sanctions on both Senegal and Morocco. The highly anticipated final, which saw Senegal edge out Morocco 1-0 after extra time, was dramatically overshadowed by a series of chaotic incidents both on and off the pitch, prompting CAF to take decisive action to uphold the integrity of the sport.

In a statement released on January 29, 2026, CAF's Disciplinary Board emphasized that its decisions were made in defense of fair play and respect for the game. The Board described the events as a clear breach of the sport’s core values, with unsporting conduct involving players, staff, and supporters from both countries marring what was supposed to be a celebration of African football’s finest.

Senegal, the newly crowned champions, bore the brunt of CAF’s punishments. Head coach Pape Bouna Thiaw was handed a five-match suspension and fined USD 100,000 for conduct deemed to have violated fair play and integrity. CAF’s ruling stated that Thiaw’s actions brought the game into disrepute, a stinging blow for a coach who had just steered his side to continental glory. Additionally, key players Iliman Cheikh Baroy Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr received two-match bans apiece for unsporting behavior towards the referee during the tempestuous final.

Financial penalties for Senegal were equally severe. The Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF) was fined a staggering USD 300,000 for the improper conduct of its supporters and another USD 300,000 for unsporting behavior by its players and technical staff. These sums reflect the gravity with which CAF viewed the incidents, particularly after five Senegalese players received cautions in the match, resulting in an additional USD 15,000 fine for team misconduct.

Morocco, as hosts and runners-up, did not escape CAF’s disciplinary net. Star defender Achraf Hakimi was suspended for two official CAF matches, with one of those suspensions deferred for a year from the date of the decision. Midfielder Ismaël Saibari was hit with a three-match ban and fined USD 100,000 for unsporting behavior. The Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) was also penalized: USD 200,000 for the inappropriate actions of stadium ball boys, USD 100,000 for the improper conduct of players and technical staff who invaded the VAR review area and obstructed the referee, and USD 15,000 for the use of lasers by Moroccan supporters inside the stadium. CAF cited clear violations of Articles 82 and 83 of its Disciplinary Code in these actions.

The match itself was a cauldron of tension from start to finish. During the second half, Senegal’s players briefly walked off the pitch in protest at a VAR-awarded penalty, a move that stunned the packed stadium in Rabat and left millions of viewers in suspense. After returning to the field, Senegal managed to hold their nerve, ultimately securing a 1-0 victory in extra time. However, the final whistle did little to ease tensions, as clashes reportedly broke out between some Senegal supporters and Moroccan security forces, leading to arrests and a flurry of political interventions from both nations.

The fallout extended far beyond the pitch. Morocco’s King Mohammed VI condemned the scenes as “deplorable,” urging African fraternity and cautioning against letting a single night’s chaos overshadow the organizational successes of the tournament. Senegal’s prime minister, Ousmane Sonko, echoed these sentiments, describing the incidents as “deplorable and painful” and confirming that 18 Senegalese supporters had been arrested in Morocco, with trials pending. Both leaders were quick to insist that the events should not be interpreted as a political or cultural rupture between the two countries.

On the institutional front, Morocco’s football federation signaled its intent to pursue legal and procedural avenues, depending on the framing of CAF’s final verdict regarding the walkout and subsequent misconduct. The FRMF had lodged a formal protest, accusing Senegal of violating tournament regulations—specifically Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON rules. Yet, CAF’s Disciplinary Board rejected Morocco’s protest in its entirety, confirming that the result of the final would stand.

Internationally, the controversy attracted attention from FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who publicly criticized the behavior of Senegal’s players and coaching staff. His comments added another layer of scrutiny to the already volatile situation, underscoring the global significance of the Africa Cup of Nations and the need for exemplary conduct at every level.

CAF’s statement concluded with a stern reminder: “These sanctions serve as a strong reminder that all teams, officials, and supporters must uphold the values of respect, discipline, and integrity, especially on the continent’s biggest football stage.” The Board made it clear that such behavior would not be tolerated, regardless of the stakes or the stature of those involved.

The decision has sparked debate across Africa and beyond. For Senegal, the suspensions and fines cast a shadow over their hard-earned triumph, while Morocco’s federation faces soul-searching over both the actions of its representatives and the conduct of its supporters. The heavy financial penalties are expected to have ripple effects throughout both organizations, potentially influencing future tournament preparations and fan engagement strategies.

As the dust settles, the focus now shifts to how both nations will respond. Will Senegal’s coaching staff and key players be able to regroup in time for upcoming qualifiers and tournaments, or will the suspensions derail their momentum? Can Morocco channel the disappointment and controversy into constructive reforms, both on the pitch and in stadium operations? These questions linger as African football grapples with a watershed moment, one that could redefine standards of conduct for years to come.

For now, the message from CAF is unmistakable: discipline, respect, and integrity are non-negotiable, and the world is watching how Africa’s footballing giants rise to the challenge in the wake of this extraordinary final.