CAF Sanctions Senegal and Morocco, Confirms AFCON Winners

The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) has officially confirmed Senegal as winners of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025, firmly rejecting a protest filed by Morocco challenging the outcome of the final.

CAF’s Disciplinary Board ruled that Morocco’s appeal, which alleged that Senegal abandoned the match after briefly walking off the pitch, was unfounded and did not breach Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON regulations.

“This means that CAF rejected Morocco’s appeal… hence, Senegal have officially been declared AFCON 2025 winners,” CAF said in a statement.

Senegal Hit With Heavy Sanctions

Senegal emerged as the most heavily sanctioned nation following what CAF described as widespread misconduct during the final.

Senegal head coach Pape Bouna Thiaw was suspended for five official CAF matches and fined USD 100,000 for unsporting conduct that damaged the image of the game.

Two Senegalese players — Iliman Cheikh Baroy Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr — were each handed two-match bans for unsporting behaviour towards the referee.

CAF also fined the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF):

• USD 300,000 for the improper conduct of supporters
• USD 300,000 for unsporting behaviour by players and technical staff
• USD 15,000 after five Senegal players received yellow cards in the final

Morocco Also Sanctioned by CAF

Morocco and the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) were also sanctioned following multiple breaches involving players, officials, and matchday operations.

Defender Achraf Hakimi was suspended for two CAF matches, with one match suspended for a year, while midfielder Ismaël Saibari received a three-match ban and a USD 100,000 fine for unsporting behaviour.

The FRMF was fined:

• USD 200,000 for inappropriate conduct by stadium ball boys
• USD 100,000 after players and technical staff invaded the VAR review area and obstructed the referee
• USD 15,000 following reports of supporters using laser devices

CAF Rejects Morocco’s Protest

CAF confirmed it had rejected Morocco’s formal protest in its entirety, ruling that Senegal’s actions during the match did not amount to abandonment and did not violate competition regulations.

The governing body stressed that the claims lacked merit and could not overturn the match result.

CAF Warns Over Future Misconduct

CAF said the sanctions were imposed to uphold fair play, integrity, and respect for match officials, warning that misconduct at high-profile tournaments would attract severe consequences, regardless of the teams involved.

The disciplinary action brings a turbulent end to the AFCON 2025 tournament, with CAF signaling a tougher stance aimed at protecting the credibility and image of African football.