AFCON 2025: Senegal Coach, Hakimi banned as CAF hits Morocco and Senegal with fines

By Editor

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced sanctions against Senegal and Morocco following incidents during the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

​The 2025 AFCON final match, played on Sunday, January 18, was negatively impacted by numerous incidents on the pitch, the sidelines, and in the tunnels.

​Despite the pre-game fears raised by Senegal about the hosts, Morocco, and officiating, the final was normal until stoppage time. Referee Jean-Philippe Ndala made a controversial call that cost Senegal a goal. Then, just a few minutes later, he awarded a controversial penalty to Morocco.

​Naturally, the game descended into chaos. Senegal coach Pape Thiaw called his players into the dressing room. It took the intervention of Sadio Mané to convince the players to return to the pitch.

​Then, there was fighting among fans in the stadium, with some of them suffering injuries. Eventually, Senegal returned to the game, which Senegal eventually won by 1-0.

​There were a lot of ugly incidents captured by fans and posted on social media. Moroccan ball boys and even players targeted the Senegalese goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, stealing his face towel.

​But despite the wrongdoing by both teams, Morocco filed an official complaint to CAF for the game to be annulled. This request has been rejected by CAF, and they announced their decisions on Thursday morning.

Summary of the sanctions

CAF DECISIONS ON THE AFCON2025 FINAL GAME

■ Morocco’s protest to have Senegal stripped of the title was rejected. Senegal confirmed as champions

SANCTIONS

SENEGAL

■FINES

– $300K for supporters’ improper conduct

– $300K for players/staff unsporting behaviour + bringing the game to disrepute and

– $15K for misconduct from the five yellow cards received in the final. 

TOTAL: $615,000

SUSPENSIONS

■ Coach Pape Thiaw suspended for 5 official CAF matches and fined $100,000 for bringing the game into disrepute.

■ Players Iliman Ndiaye & Ismaila Sarr suspended for 2 official CAF matches each, for unsporting behaviour towards the referee.

MOROCCO

■ FINES

– $200K for stadium ball boys inappropriate behaviour 

– $100K for improper conduct of players/staff invading RRA

– $15K for fans’ use of lasers

TOTAL: $315,000

SUSPENSIONS

■ Achraf Hakimi suspended for 2 official CAF matches for unsporting behaviour, one of which is suspended for one year

■ Ismael Saibari suspended for 3 official CAF matches for unsporting behaviour and fined $100k.