Africa’s football governing body, CAF, has imposed fines exceeding $1 million and issued multiple bans following chaotic scenes at the 2025 AFCON final between Senegal and Morocco.
The sanctions target players, coaches, officials and supporters of both teams after protests, pitch invasions and misconduct disrupted the match.
CAF said the punishments were necessary to uphold discipline, integrity and the image of African football.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has imposed fines totalling more than $1 million and handed out multiple suspensions in the aftermath of the chaotic 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final between Senegal and Morocco.
The disciplinary measures, announced in a CAF statement on Wednesday, come just over 10 days after a turbulent final marked by protests, pitch invasions, confrontations among officials and supporters, and prolonged stoppages that drew widespread criticism across the football world.
CAF said the sanctions were issued to protect the principles of fair play, integrity and respect for match officials, warning that misconduct at flagship tournaments would attract severe consequences.
Senegal Hit With Heaviest Financial Penalties
According to CAF, the Senegal Football Federation was fined a cumulative $615,000 for what it described as the “unsporting conduct of their players and technical staff in violation of the CAF disciplinary code principles of fair play, loyalty and integrity.”
Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw received a personal fine of $100,000 and was banned for five of Senegal’s six matches in the 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign for “bringing the game into disrepute.”
Two Senegal players, Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr, were also suspended for the first two AFCON qualifiers later this year for “unsporting behaviour towards the referee.”
The final descended into chaos after Senegal walked off in protest following a late VAR-awarded penalty to Morocco, moments after a Senegalese goal had been ruled out. Supporters attempted to invade the pitch, while disorder reportedly broke out among journalists and officials.
After a delay of about 15 minutes, Morocco missed the penalty, and Senegal eventually went on to win the match in extra time.
Morocco Also Sanctioned Over Conduct
Morocco’s Football Federation was fined a total of $315,000 for unsporting and improper conduct involving players, officials and supporters.
CAF imposed a $200,000 fine for the conduct of stadium ball boys, who attempted to seize a towel being used by Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy on a rain-soaked night in Rabat, an act CAF said was intended to distract the goalkeeper.
An additional $100,000 fine was handed down for the “improper conduct” of Moroccan players and technical staff who invaded the VAR review area and obstructed the work of DR Congo referee Jean-Jacques Ndala.
Moroccan supporters were also fined $15,000 for using lasers in an attempt to distract Senegalese players during the match.
On the sporting side, Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi was banned for two matches, with one suspension suspended, while midfielder Ismael Saibari received a three-match ban, both for unsporting behaviour.
Appeals Rejected, Image of African Football Questioned
CAF confirmed that Morocco’s appeal to have the result overturned — and the hosts declared winners on account of Senegal’s walk-off — was dismissed.
Following the match, Morocco head coach Walid Regragui lamented the scenes, saying the final had projected African football in a negative light.
The governing body said the sanctions were intended to serve as a deterrent, stressing that disciplinary standards would be strictly enforced regardless of a nation’s football stature or hosting rights.
Both Senegal and Morocco will now turn attention to the fifa-world-cup/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada. Senegal have been drawn in Group I alongside France, Norway and the winners of the intercontinental playoffs, while Morocco will face Brazil, Scotland and Haiti in Group C.
Morocco is also preparing to co-host the 2030 World Cup and will stage the FIFA Women’s U17 World Cup annually for five consecutive years, placing additional scrutiny on its football administration.
CAF said maintaining discipline at continental competitions remains critical as African football continues to grow on the global stage.
