The Confederation of African Football (CAF) Disciplinary Board issued a series of massive financial and sporting penalties late Wednesday following the tumultuous 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final. Citing severe violations of fair play, integrity, and sportsmanship, the governing body held both the Senegalese and Moroccan football federations accountable for the disorder that marred the championship match in Rabat. The ruling aims to preserve the reputation of African football after scenes of misconduct by fans, staff, and elite players overshadowed the tournament’s conclusion.
Senegal’s head coach, Pape Bouna Thiaw, faces the steepest individual consequence with a five-match suspension and a $100,000 fine for actions deemed to have brought the game into disrepute. CAF also handed two-match bans to high-profile internationals Iliman Cheikh Baroy Ndiaye and Ismaïla Sarr for their aggressive behavior toward match officials during the final. Collectively, the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football must pay over $615,000 in fines, covering technical staff misconduct, supporter unrest, and a separate penalty for excessive yellow cards accumulated during the match.
The Moroccan camp also received significant sanctions, including a three-match suspension and a $100,000 fine for midfielder Ismaël Saibari. National team captain Achraf Hakimi received a two-match ban, though the board suspended one of those games for a one-year probationary period. The Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football faces $315,000 in total fines due to the disruptive behavior of ball boys and an invasion of the VAR review area by team personnel. Despite these penalties, CAF officially dismissed Morocco’s formal protest regarding the match results, confirming the finality of the disciplinary session.
CAF addressed the gravity of the violations in their official announcement: “Mr Pape Bouna Thiaw was also fined USD 100,000. To suspend the Senegalese national team player, Mr Iliman Cheikh Baroy Ndiaye for two (2) official CAF matches, for his unsporting behaviour towards the referee. To suspend Senegalese national team player, Mr Ismaila Sarr for two (2) official CAF matches for his unsporting behaviour towards the referee.
To fine the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF), USD 300,000 for the improper conduct of its supporters, which brought the game into disrepute in violation of the CAF Disciplinary Code principles of fair play and integrity. To fine the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF), USD 300,000 for the unsporting conduct of their players and technical staff in violation of the CAF Disciplinary Code principles of fair play, loyalty and integrity. The unsporting conduct of their players and the technical staff also brought the game into disrepute. To fine the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF), USD 15,000 for the misconduct of its national team, due to five (5) of its players having received cautions.”
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