The African Football Confederation (CAF) has imposed severe sanctions on Senegal and Morocco following unprecedented disorder during the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) final. The controversial match, held in Rabat on 18 January, saw players withdrawn from the field in protest and multiple incidents of physical confrontation, prompting CAF to issue fines exceeding USD 1 million (approximately BDT 122 million) and suspend several players and coaching staff.
CAF clarified that these sanctions are limited to African competitions and will not affect the participation of Senegal and Morocco in the upcoming FIFA World Cup, scheduled to commence in June.
Fines and Suspensions
| Entity/Individual | Offence | Fine (USD) | Suspension |
|---|---|---|---|
| Senegal Football Federation | Misconduct by players, coaching staff, and fans | 615,000 (~BDT 75.2 million) | – |
| Morocco Football Federation | Misconduct by players and fans | 315,000 (~BDT 38.5 million) | – |
| Pape Thiaw (Senegal Coach) | Withdrawing team from field | 100,000 (~BDT 12.2 million) | 5 AFCON matches |
| Elimane Ndiaye (Senegal Player) | Misconduct | – | 2 matches |
| Ismaila Sarr (Senegal Player) | Misconduct | – | 2 matches |
| Achraf Hakimi (Morocco Player) | Misconduct | – | 2 matches |
| Ismael Saibari (Morocco Player) | Misconduct | 100,000 (~BDT 12.2 million) | 3 matches |
| Morocco Ball Boy | Attempt to distract Senegal goalkeeper | 200,000 (~BDT 24.4 million) | – |
The AFCON final spiralled into chaos after Senegal coach Pape Thiaw led his players off the pitch in protest against a penalty awarded to hosts Morocco during the closing minutes. The walkout halted the match for approximately 15 minutes. Following the resumption, Morocco missed the penalty, but Senegal ultimately claimed the 1–0 victory in extra time, securing the African title.
Additional disturbances included fans attempting to enter the field from the stands, sideline altercations between players, and physical confrontations among journalists in the press box. In a bizarre incident, a Moroccan ball boy attempted to distract Senegal’s goalkeeper Edouard Mendy by seizing his towel, prompting CAF to fine Morocco separately.
Broader Implications
Morocco, co-host of the 2030 FIFA World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal, has faced reputational damage due to the “shameful” nature of the final. Moroccan coach Walid Regragui acknowledged that the match set a regrettable precedent for African football. Senegal’s appeal to annul the match and award Morocco the victory was rejected by CAF.
The event has also strained diplomatic relations. Human rights organisations in Morocco raised concerns over xenophobic remarks directed at Sub-Saharan Africans. In an effort to de-escalate tensions, Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko visited Morocco, urging leaders to view the incident not as a political or cultural rift but as an “expression of passion and emotion” on the field.
CAF’s decisive action underlines its commitment to maintaining discipline and integrity in African football, sending a strong message that misconduct by teams, officials, or fans will not be tolerated.