Senegal coach Pape Thiaw received a five-match suspension from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) due to “unsporting conduct” during the Africa Cup of Nations final against Morocco, as announced on Wednesday. The disciplinary action stems from controversial events during the match in Rabat, which Senegal ultimately won 1-0 after extra time.
CAF detailed that Thiaw was cited for bringing the game into disrepute, according to a formal statement released by the governing body. Furthermore, the Senegal Football Federation (FSF) faces a substantial $615,000 fine for the collective unsporting conduct displayed by its players and technical staff, violating principles of fair play.
Two Senegalese forwards, Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr, were each handed two-match bans for unsporting behaviour directed toward the match referee. These disciplinary measures affect future CAF competitions but do not impact the teams' upcoming 2026 World Cup qualification campaigns.
Morocco also faced penalties, with forward Ismael Saibari receiving a three-match suspension alongside a $100,000 fine for similar unsporting behaviour. Captain Achraf Hakimi was suspended for two matches, underscoring the widespread disciplinary issues across both technical areas.
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) was fined $315,000 in total, including a $200,000 penalty for the inappropriate behaviour of stadium ball boys. Additional fines were levied against the FRMF for player/staff obstruction of the VAR review area and for supporters using lasers to distract Senegalese athletes.
The match itself was marked by high tension, particularly after a late penalty call for Morocco sparked protests that saw part of the Senegalese team briefly walk off the pitch. TV footage reportedly showed Coach Thiaw gesturing toward his squad, leading to the subsequent disciplinary fallout.
These CAF sanctions serve as a stark reminder to member associations regarding adherence to the disciplinary code during high-stakes international fixtures. The focus now shifts to how these suspensions will affect Senegal’s upcoming 2027 AFCON qualifying schedule later this year.
