Senegal and Morocco fined, players banned after AFCON final chaos
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has issued fines and bans for Senegal's coach and team, and Moroccan players, after a chaotic African Cup of Nations (AFCON) final on January 18.
New Delhi: The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has issued fines and bans for Senegal's coach and team, and Moroccan players, after a chaotic African Cup of Nations (AFCON) final. The bans are announced on Thursday and are only applicable to African games and not the 2026 World Cup, which begins in June. Senegal and Morocco both have qualified for the tournament.
The sanctions announced by Africa's football governing body include fines of $615,000 for the Senegalese Football Federation and $315,000 for the Royal Moroccan Football Federation for unsporting conduct by their players, coaching staff and supporters.
The Senegal players walked off the field after coach Pape Thiaw's instruction during the AFCON final, in protest against a late penalty awarded in regulation time to Morocco on January 18. Thiaw defended his team's actions last week and was banned for five African matches, including a fine of $100,000.
The match restarted after a delay of more than 15 minutes as Morocco missed the penalty, helping Senegal to win the AFCON title 1-0 after extra time. The controversial final also saw supporters trying to storm the football pitch, with Morocco’s and Senegal’s players fighting on the sidelines.
The reporters from the two nations were also involved in a fight in the media areas, while Moroccan ball boys also tried to distract Senegalese goalkeeper Edouard Mendy by seizing his towel, which was being used by Senegalese goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.
The behaviour by the home team’s ball boys led to a $200,000 fine for Morocco’s federation, which will co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal and has received heavy criticism for the chaotic African final.
Morocco were also aiming to host the 2030 World Cup final at the Hassan II Stadium in Casablanca, which is set to be the biggest football venue in the world with a capacity of 115,000. But the hosting of the AFCON final has badly interrupted their plans.
Players banned
Senegalese players Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr have received a ban for two African games, while Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi was banned for two matches, with one suspended. Morocco’s Ismael Saibari received a ban for three matches and was fined $100,000 for unsporting behaviour.
CAF also dismissed an appeal made by Morocco to have the result cancelled and declare them as the winner because of the Senegalese walk-off.