Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw has been handed a five-match ban by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) after a turbulent Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final against Morocco earlier this month, the body announced on Wednesday.
According to CAF, Thiaw was found guilty of “unsporting conduct” and “bringing the game into disrepute” during the final held in Rabat on January 18, in which Senegal emerged 1-0 winners after extra time.
Senegalese forwards Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr, both English Premier League players, received two-match bans each for “unsporting behaviour towards the referee.”
The Senegal Football Federation (FSF) was also fined $615,000 for multiple offences during the final, including the “unsporting conduct of players and technical staff in violation of CAF disciplinary code principles of fair play, loyalty, and integrity.”
For Morocco, forward Ismael Saibari was handed a three-match ban and fined $100,000 for unsporting behaviour, while captain Achraf Hakimi received a two-match suspension. The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) was fined $200,000 due to the “inappropriate behaviour of stadium ball boys.”
Additional fines included $100,000 for “improper conduct” by players and staff who entered the VAR review area and obstructed the Congolese referee, as well as $15,000 after Moroccan fans used lasers to distract Senegalese players—bringing Morocco’s total fines to $315,000.
The final turned dramatic late in regulation time when Sarr’s goal was disallowed for a foul on 2025 African Player of the Year Achraf Hakimi. Morocco was then awarded a penalty after Brahim Diaz was fouled, prompting furious protests from the Senegalese team.
Television footage showed Thiaw gesturing to his players, which was widely interpreted as instructing them to leave the field. Most of the Senegal team temporarily walked off to the changing room, but star forward Sadio Mane stayed behind and later convinced his teammates to return, allowing play to resume.
Morocco missed the delayed penalty when Diaz’s weak shot was saved by Edouard Mendy. In extra time, Pape Gueye scored the decisive goal, securing Senegal’s second AFCON title.