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Thursday, January 29, 2026

CAF fines Senegal, Morocco $1 million over AFCON 2025 final chaos

CAF rejected Morocco’s protest to strip Senegal of the 2025 AFCON title, citing the Lions of Teranga’s decision to unilaterally leave the pitch before the game concluded.

• January 29, 2026
Fans throwing chairs during Senegal-Morocco march
Fans throwing chairs during Senegal-Morocco march [Photo Credit: Yahoo Sport]

The Confederation of African Football has imposed an unprecedented fine of over $1 million against Senegal and Morocco following the chaos that marred the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations earlier this month.

Following disciplinary hearings into the series of incidents that occurred during the final between both teams earlier this week, the CAF Disciplinary Committee announced its judgment in a decision published by the governing body in the early hours of Thursday.

The Fédération Sénégalaise de Football was fined a total of $715,000, including $300,000 for unsporting conduct of players and staff during the game and another $300,000 for improper conduct of their supporters, who clashed with police and stadium security.

Also, a $15,000 fine was issued against Senegal for its players receiving five yellow cards, while head coach of the national team, Pape Thiaw, received a $100,000 fine for ordering his players to leave the pitch following the controversial late penalty awarded to Morocco.

According to CAF, Thiaw brought the game into disrepute with his conduct. He will also be suspended for five official CAF matches, alongside two of his players, Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr, who were each issued a two-game suspension for hostility toward the referee.

On the other hand, CAF imposed a $415,000 fine on the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football, with $200,000 for improper conduct by ball boys, who were accused of stealing the Senegalese goalkeeper’s towel during the match.

The FRMF was fined $100,000 and $15,000 for improper conduct by players and technical staff, who invaded the VAR review area and obstructed the referee’s work, and by Moroccan supporters, who used lasers during the match.

In addition, sanctions including $100,000 and a three-game suspension were issued against Morocco’s Ismaël Saibari for unsporting behaviour after he was captured blocking the goalkeeper from accessing his towel.

Captain Achraf Hakimi will be suspended for two official matches, with one suspended for a period of one year from the date the decision was announced, for the same offence as Saibari.

Meanwhile, CAF rejected Morocco’s protest to strip Senegal of the 2025 AFCON title, citing the Lions of Teranga’s decision to unilaterally leave the pitch before the game concluded.

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