2025 AFCON Final: CAF Suspends Coach Thiaw, Hakimi, Others

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Disciplinary Board of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has imposed a series of sanctions on the Senegal and Morocco as well as some players and officials, following conducts believed to be inappropriate at the dramatic 2025 African Cup of Nations final nearly two weeks ago.

In a statement posted on its website on Wednesday night, CAF said the sanctions were handed down for violations of its Disciplinary Code, including breaches of the principles of fair play, loyalty and integrity, during and after the final match.

As part of the decisions against Senegal, CAF suspended the head coach of the Senegalese national team, Pape Bouna Thiaw, for five official CAF matches for his “unsporting conduct” and “for bringing the game into disrepute.”

“Mr Pape Bouna Thiaw was also fined $100,000,” a part of the statement read.

Recall that Senegal defeated Morocco 1-0 in the January 18 final in Rabat that was delayed for over 14 minutes after a controversial penalty was awarded in the dying minutes of the game, triggering the Senegalese coach to instruct his team to leave the pitch.

CAF also decided to “suspend the Senegalese national team player, Mr Iliman Cheikh Baroy Ndiaye for two official CAF matches, for his unsporting behaviour towards the referee.

“To suspend Senegalese national team player, Mr Ismaila Sarr for two official CAF matches for his unsporting behaviour towards the referee.

“To fine the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF), $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), $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), $15,000 for the misconduct of its national team, due to five of its players having received cautions.”

With regard to Morocco, CAF suspended national team defender, Achraf Hakimi, for two official CAF matches, with one of the matches suspended for one year from the date of the decision, for unsporting behaviour. Also, PSV Midfielder Ismaël Saibari was suspended for three official CAF matches and fined $100,000 for the same offence.

The Morocco team was fined $200,000 for the inappropriate behaviour of stadium ball boys during the final.

CAF also imposed a fine of $100,000 on the Moroccan federation for the improper conduct of its players and technical staff, who invaded the VAR review area and obstructed the referee’s work.

An additional fine of $15,000 was issued for the use of lasers by Moroccan supporters during the match.

Meanwhile, CAF also ruled on a protest lodged by Morocco concerning alleged violations of Articles 82 and 84 of the Africa Cup of Nations regulations by the Senegal national team.

“The CAF Disciplinary Board rejected the protest lodged by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football regarding alleged violations by the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football of Articles 82 and 84 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations, relating to the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 Final,” the statement added.