CAF sanctions against Morocco and Senegal after the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final
Ten days after the conclusion of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations hosted by Morocco, and following the unfortunate events that marred the final match between the Moroccan and Senegalese national teams, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) issued a series of unprecedentedly harsh disciplinary sanctions. These decisions came after a thorough review of the referees' and match observers' reports, with the Disciplinary Board confirming that the transgressions constituted a serious breach of the principles of fair play and the regulations governing continental competitions.
Strict decisions against the Senegalese national team
The sanctions included harsh penalties against the Senegalese side, with CAF suspending national team coach Pape Thiaw for five official matches and fining him $100,000 for his unsportsmanlike conduct, which was deemed damaging to the reputation of African football. The sanctions weren't limited to the coaching staff; players Elman Cheikh Barroy Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr were also suspended for two official matches each for misconduct towards the refereeing team.
On the financial front, the Senegalese Federation suffered heavy losses, as it was fined $300,000 due to fan riots, and a similar fine ($300,000) due to the actions of the players and coaching staff, in addition to $15,000 for five players receiving warnings, reflecting the level of tension that prevailed in the Senegalese camp.
Sanctions target Moroccan stars and the host federation
On the other hand, the Moroccan national team was not spared from sanctions, as the disciplinary committee decided to suspend star player Achraf Hakimi for two official matches (one of which is suspended for a year), and to suspend player Ismail Saïbari for three matches with a fine of $100,000. These absences pose a significant technical challenge for the team in its upcoming matches.
CAF also imposed heavy fines on the Moroccan federation, including $200,000 for the inappropriate behavior of ball boys, $100,000 for invading the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) area and obstructing the referee's work, in addition to $15,000 for the fans' use of laser beams.
Context of events and implications of sanctions
These decisions come at a time when the Confederation of African Football (CAF) is striving to enhance the global image of African football, particularly given the increasing international attention the Africa Cup of Nations receives. The sanctions related to intruding on the VAR room, interfering with referees' work, and the conduct of ball boys demonstrate CAF's desire to eliminate practices that negatively impact the conduct and integrity of matches.
These sanctions send a clear and strongly worded message to all national federations on the continent: any unruly behavior or misconduct, whether from fans, coaching staff, or players, will be met with unprecedented firmness. These suspensions are expected to cast a shadow over both teams' preparations for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers, as they will both be missing key players in crucial matches, forcing coaches to find immediate replacements to compensate for these enforced absences.
