 has suspended Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw following his conduct during the dramatic and controversial Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final.){kind=link}
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has suspended Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw following his conduct during the dramatic and controversial Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final.
Senegal edged Morocco 1–0 to lift the continental title, but what should have been a crowning moment for the Teranga Lions was overshadowed by chaotic scenes late in the match.
A disputed refereeing decision in the closing stages sparked furious protests from the Senegalese bench, culminating in a temporary walk-off that brought the final to a standstill and triggered unrest in the stands.
CAF confirmed that Thiaw’s suspension stems from what it described as serious misconduct and a breach of competition regulations, particularly his role in instructing players to leave the pitch in protest. “Actions that disrupt play and undermine the authority of match officials cannot be tolerated, regardless of the circumstances,” CAF said.
Tensions reached boiling point after a contentious late decision by the referee, believed by Senegal’s technical bench to have unfairly favoured Morocco.
Players surrounded officials, and shortly afterward, members of the Senegal squad walked towards the tunnel following instructions from the sidelines.
The match was delayed for close to half an hour as officials, security personnel and team leaders worked to restore order.
Fans reacted angrily to the stoppage, with some spilling onto the pitch and others clashing with security forces.
The match eventually resumed and was completed, allowing Senegal to be crowned champions, but the scenes drew widespread criticism from football authorities, pundits and supporters across the continent.
In announcing the suspension, CAF emphasised that while it acknowledges the emotional intensity of high-stakes matches, there is no justification for conduct that disrupts play or incites disorder. Thiaw’s ban applies to CAF competitions, meaning he will miss upcoming continental fixtures, and he has also been handed a financial fine.
CAF has yet to publicly confirm the exact duration of the suspension, though officials indicated it would be significant enough to serve as a deterrent to similar behaviour in future tournaments. Further sanctions against Senegalese officials or the federation itself have not been ruled out, depending on the outcome of ongoing reviews.
The fallout from the final quickly extended beyond CAF. FIFA president Gianni Infantino weighed in, condemning the scenes as “unacceptable” and warning that such incidents damage the credibility of African football at a time when the game on the continent is enjoying unprecedented global attention.
“The ugly scenes witnessed must be condemned and never repeated,” Infantino said in remarks circulated by FIFA after the final.
“We strongly condemn the behavior of some supporters as well as some Senegalese players and technical staff members. It is unacceptable to leave the field of play in this manner, and equally, violence cannot be tolerated in our sport; it is simply not right,” he added.
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation has reportedly lodged formal complaints with both CAF and FIFA, citing the disruption and its potential impact on player safety and competitive integrity. Moroccan officials have also questioned why the match was allowed to continue after the walk-off, insisting that tournament regulations should have been enforced more strictly.
While CAF has dismissed speculation that the result could be overturned or the title stripped from Senegal, the governing body confirmed that it is reviewing referee reports, security footage and match officials’ accounts as part of its broader investigation.
The Senegal Football Federation has acknowledged CAF’s decision but stopped short of issuing a full apology. In a brief statement, the federation said it respects CAF’s authority while reiterating its concerns over officiating during the final. It also stressed that the actions of the technical bench were driven by a desire to protect players and ensure fairness.
Privately, Senegalese officials are understood to be considering an appeal or at least seeking clarity on the length and scope of Thiaw’s suspension, especially with crucial World Cup qualifiers and continental competitions on the horizon.