The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has imposed heavy fines and disciplinary sanctions on Senegal and Morocco following chaotic scenes that marred the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final played in Rabat.
The ruling, follows a detailed investigation into misconduct by players, officials and supporters during and after the highly charged final.
Senegal went on to win the final 1–0 after extra time, but the match was overshadowed by controversy, including heated protests over refereeing decisions, temporary walk-offs, pitchside confrontations and crowd misconduct.
CAF said the sanctions were necessary to protect the integrity of African football and uphold its disciplinary code.
The AFCON final descended into chaos late in the game after a VAR-reviewed penalty decision went in Morocco’s favour.
Senegalese players and members of the technical bench reacted angrily, disputing the decision and briefly leaving the pitch in protest before returning to complete the match.
CAF’s Disciplinary Board fined the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) a total of USD 615,000(Sh 79.34 million), citing multiple breaches of conduct.
According to the ruling, USD 300,000 was imposed for misconduct by Senegal supporters, while another USD 300,000(Sh38.71 million) was attributed to unsporting behavior by players and members of the technical bench.
An additional USD 15,000(Sh1.94 million) related to team conduct, including accumulated cautions during the match.
CAF said Senegal’s actions amounted to a violation of principles of fair play and respect for match officials, especially in relation to reactions to refereeing decisions.
Senegal head coach Pape Bouna Thiaw received one of the harshest individual punishments. CAF handed him a five-match suspension from CAF competitions and a USD 100,000(Sh12.90 million) fine for unsporting conduct and bringing the game into disrepute.
The disciplinary body cited his role in leading protests and actions that escalated tensions during the final.
Two Senegal players were also sanctioned. Iliman Ndiaye was handed a two-match suspension for misconduct directed at match officials. Ismaïla Sarr received a similar two-match ban for unsporting behaviour.
All suspensions will be served in official CAF competitions.
CAF also fined the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) a total of USD 315,000(Sh 40.64 million) for a series of violations linked to crowd control and technical area misconduct.
The breakdown of Morocco’s fine includes USD 200,000(Sh 25.80 million) for the inappropriate behaviour of ball boys, USD 100,000(Sh 12.90 million) for players and staff entering restricted areas around the VAR room and interfering with officials, and USD 15,000(Sh 1.94 million) for supporters using laser pointers during the match.
CAF said the infractions compromised match safety and interfered with the proper functioning of match officials and video review processes.
Several Moroccan players were also disciplined following the final.
Achraf Hakimi was suspended for two CAF matches, although one match was suspended on probation for one year, meaning it will only be enforced if he commits a similar offence within that period.
Midfielder Ismaël Saibari received a three-match suspension and a USD 100,000(Sh12.90 million) fine for misconduct toward match officials, one of the most severe individual punishments imposed on the Moroccan side.
Morocco lodged an official protest challenging the outcome of the final, arguing that Senegal’s temporary departure from the pitch constituted abandonment under CAF regulations.
However, CAF’s Disciplinary Board rejected the appeal, ruling that the match result would stand.
As a result, Senegal remain AFCON champions, with CAF stating there was insufficient legal basis to overturn the outcome despite the disruptions.
In its statement, CAF emphasised that the sanctions were imposed to reinforce discipline, respect for officials and adherence to competition rules.
The governing body said the AFCON final incidents represented serious breaches of conduct that could not be ignored, regardless of the match’s significance.
CAF added that all penalties were issued in accordance with its Disciplinary Code and that similar conduct in future tournaments would attract equally firm action.
The fines must be settled within CAF’s stipulated timelines, while all suspensions apply strictly to CAF-sanctioned competitions.
The disciplinary process is now considered closed following the rejection of Morocco’s protest.