CAF Issues Severe Sanctions After Chaotic AFCON Final
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has levied heavy punishments against both Senegal and Morocco following the controversial conclusion to the Africa Cup of Nations final, with Senegal’s head coach receiving the most severe individual penalty.
Senegal coach Pape Thiaw has been suspended for five competitive matches and fined $100,000 for “unsporting conduct.” The sanction stems from his direct instruction for his players to walk off the pitch during the final moments of the match against Morocco, an action that brought the game to a premature and chaotic halt.
The disciplinary measures extended to the Senegalese playing squad as well. Key attackers Ismaila Sarr and Iliman Cheikh Baroy Ndiaye have each been handed two-match suspensions for their role in the misconduct. Furthermore, the Senegalese Football Federation was fined a substantial $615,000 for the collective actions of its delegation.
Morocco, despite being crowned champions, was not spared from CAF’s disciplinary committee. The Moroccan Football Federation received a $315,000 fine for “improper conduct” by its team during the same incident. Additionally, star defender Achraf Hakimi was suspended for two matches for separate unsporting actions during the final.
In a statement, CAF emphasized that the decisions were made “following a thorough review of the official reports and match footage” and are intended to uphold “the principles of fair play, respect, and integrity” in African football.
The significant financial and sporting penalties underscore CAF’s hardline stance against actions that undermine the sport’s decorum, particularly in its showpiece event. The suspensions will affect the teams’ upcoming fixtures in CAF competitions, including future AFCON qualifiers and tournaments.
Both federations have the right to appeal the decisions. The sanctions mark a dramatic postscript to an AFCON final that will be remembered as much for its contentious ending as for Morocco’s historic victory.
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