CAF Upholds Senegal’s AFCON Title Amid Heavy Sanctions for Final Chaos
Published on January 30, 2026 at 8:33 AM by Evance Kapito
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) Disciplinary Board has slapped the Senegal and Morocco national teams with heavy fines and suspensions following the chaotic 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final, though it has upheld Senegal’s status as the continental champions.
In a statement released Wednesday, CAF dismissed a formal complaint lodged by Morocco against Senegal, effectively confirming that the 1-0 extra-time scoreline stands and the Lions of Teranga remain the rightful winners of the trophy.
However, the football governing body did not spare the rod regarding the conduct of players, officials, and fans during the high-stakes match held in Rabat.
Senegal’s head coach, Pape Bouna Thiaw, has been handed a 5-match suspension from all official CAF competitions. He has also been ordered to pay a personal fine of $100,000 for unsporting conduct and bringing the game into disrepute.
Furthermore, Senegalese players Iliman Cheikh Baroy Ndiaye and Ismaïla Sarr have each received 2-match suspensions for unsporting behavior directed at the match referee.
The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has been hit with a staggering $615,000 in total fines. This includes $300,000 for improper supporter conduct, another $300,000 for unsporting behavior by the technical bench and players, and $15,000 for team misconduct after five players received yellow cards.
On the host side, Morocco’s Ismaël Saibari has been suspended for 3 official matches and fined $100,000.
The Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) has also been sanctioned with fines totaling $315,000. This breakdown includes $200,000 for the “inappropriate behavior” of stadium ball boys, $100,000 for players and staff invading the VAR review area to obstruct the referee, and $15,000 for the use of laser pointers by Moroccan supporters.
In its ruling, the board emphasized that the decisions were made to uphold the principles of fair play, integrity, and loyalty within African football.
The sanctions come at a time when CAF is intensifying its stance on discipline to protect the image of the continent’s flagship football tournament.
