The 2025 African Cup of Nations in Morocco has come and gone, but the dust raised by the ugly scenes that took place in the final is yet to settle, and we may not be hearing the last of the furore that took place on that chaotic night on January 18th any time soon.
Recall that the highly anticipated final between the host, Morocco, and Senegal did not turn out to be just another football match but an encounter that engendered a spectacle that stunned many around the world. What was supposed to be a frenetic, scintillating, and mouthwatering clash was characterised by chaos that saw pandemonium erupt among fans and players leaving the field to protest perceived injustice. The on-field and off-field incidents showed both the beautiful and ugly sides of the sport in equal measure.
Though Senegal ultimately beat Morocco One-nil to lift Africa’s most coveted football trophy, the result was overshadowed by a dramatic spectacle and eclipsed by commotion in what will likely go down as the most chaotic final in the history of the competition.
Following incidents in the final, which the Confederation of African Football (CAF) described as disturbing and embarrassing, the continent’s football governing body, as part of an effort to restore the continent’s football image, has announced sanctions to be imposed on everyone involved in the fracas and full-blown melee that erupted in the match.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Thursday announced a slew of disciplinary sanctions against the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF).
The ruling, delivered by the CAF Disciplinary Board, also targets individual players and officials from both nations, marking one of the heaviest-handed and most comprehensive disciplinary interventions of the tournament.
CAF hammer falls on Hakimi and Senegal coach, Pape Thiaw
In the most high-profile decision, CAF has imposed a ban on Moroccan star Achraf Hakimi and Pape Thiaw, citing violations of the CAF Disciplinary Code linked to conduct during the final.
The sanctions at a glance
Senegal:
5-match ban for coach Pape Thiaw + $100,000 fine
2-match ban for Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaïla Sarr
$615,000 fine for the Senegalese FA
Morocco:
2-match ban for Achraf Hakimi (1 suspended)
3-match ban for Saibari + $100,000 fine
$300,000 fine for the Moroccan FA
$200,000 fine for the ball boys
The CAF Disciplinary Committee dismissed the appeal filed by the Moroccan FA.
The details of the sanction.
The suspension bars Hakimi from participating in CAF-sanctioned competitions for the duration of the ban.
“To suspend the Moroccan National Team player, Mr Achraf Hakimi, for two (2) official CAF matches, with one (1) of these matches being suspended for one (1) year from the date of this decision, for his unsporting behaviour,” the CAF statement reads.
Senegal and Morocco Federations penalised
Beyond individual sanctions, CAF confirmed that both FSF and FRMF were found responsible for breaches of disciplinary regulations related to events surrounding the final match.
While CAF has not divulged the details, the governing body stated that the actions of team officials and players contributed to behaviour deemed incompatible with CAF statutes and competition regulations.
CAF said, “To fine the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) USD 200,000, for the inappropriate behaviour of the stadium’s ball boys during the aforementioned match.
“To fine the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) USD 100,000 for the improper conduct of their National Team players and technical staff, who invaded the VAR review area and obstructed the referee’s work, in violation of the principles of fair play and integrity, as stated in Articles 82 and 83 of the CAF Disciplinary Code.
“To fine the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) USD 15,000 for the use of lasers by its supporters during the aforementioned match.
“To fine the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF), USD 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), USD 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.”
As part of the same ruling, the Disciplinary Board addressed a formal protest submitted by the Moroccan federation. FRMF had alleged that Senegal breached Articles 82 and 84 of the Africa Cup of Nations regulations during the final.
After reviewing the complaint, CAF officially rejected Morocco’s protest, concluding that the claims were unfounded and did not meet the threshold required for regulatory violations.
“The CAF Disciplinary Board rejected the protest lodged by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) regarding alleged violations by the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF) 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,” CAF said
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