Like a famous football fan (probably me) once said, “I couldn’t recognise the beautiful game of football anymore.” Such was the reaction of many after watching the AFCON 2025 final and all its chaos.
That explains why the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has moved to sanction the football federations of both Morocco and Senegal.
The AFCON 2025 final showdown, which Senegal won 1–0 after extra time, was an eyesore, with player walkouts, pitch-side tussles over goalkeeper towels, and crowd unrest, among other things. 
ALSO READ: AFCON 2025 Highlights: Walk-Off, Wild Penalty and Senegal’s Triumph
These offences and many more have moved the CAF disciplinary board to fine and suspend federations, players, and officials found culpable in a recent statement. Here’s what these incidents will cost everyone involved.
CAF Disciplinary Actions Against Senegal
- The CAF Disciplinary Board suspended Pape Bouna Thiaw, the Senegalese National Team head coach, for five CAF matches.
- He will also pay a fine of $100,000 for unsporting conduct that violated fair play, integrity, and brought the AFCON final into disrepute.
- Senegalese players Iliman Cheikh Baroy Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr were suspended for two matches due to unsporting behaviour towards the referee.
- CAF also fined the Senegalese team $300,000 for supporter misconduct.
- They will also pay another $300,000 for player and staff misbehaviour.
- Finally, the Senegalese football federation received a $15,000 fine for misconduct, including five cautions for its players.
CAF Sanctions Against Morocco
- The CAF Disciplinary Board also fined Morocco $200,000 for stadium ball boys’ misconduct.
- Then, an additional $100,000 for players and staff disrupting the VAR review during the AFCON final. That act violates fair play principles.
- CAF also suspended team captain Achraf Hakimi for two CAF matches, with one suspended for a year. That means Hakimi is suspended for 2 games. But he will only serve one now. The other will be reserved till after one year.
- Another player, Ismaël Saibari, received a three-match suspension and a $100,000 fine for unsporting behaviour.
- The Moroccan team will also pay a fine of $15,000 for their supporters using lasers on the opponents during the game
CAF’S Decision on Who Won the AFCON 2025 Final?
The Moroccan federation also lodged a formal protest against Senegal, claiming violations under Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON regulations. CAF dismissed this protest, ruling that it lacked merit, and Senegal remained AFCON 2025 final champions.
Why CAF Imposed These AFCON 2025 Sanctions
The AFCON 2025 sanctions follow a chaotic final that turned disorderly in stoppage time. With the score 0–0, Morocco was awarded a penalty after a VAR review involving Senegal’s Moussa Diouf and Morocco’s Brahim Díaz. Senegalese players and officials reacted angrily, briefly walking off in protest.
Play was paused for nearly 20 minutes as security intervened to prevent a pitch invasion. Senegal’s captain, Sadio Mané, then urged teammates to return. When play resumed, Senegal’s Edouard Mendy saved Díaz’s Panenka penalty, a pivotal moment. In extra time, Pape Gueye scored to secure Senegal’s historic win.
Before CAF announced these sanctions, the final drew widespread condemnation. FIFA President Gianni Infantino called some players, officials, and supporters’ behaviour unacceptable, condemning violence and unsporting conduct.
In his words, “We strongly condemn the behaviour of some ‘supporters’ as well as some Senegalese players and technical staff members. It is unacceptable to leave the field of play in this manner, and equally, violence cannot be tolerated in our sport; it is simply not right.”
Also, following these incidents, RFEF President, Rafael Louzán confirmed that the 2030 FIFA World Cup final will be played in Spain, instead of Morocco. “We saw scenes at the AFCON that hurt the image of football. Spain has demonstrated organisational capacity. The final will be played here,” Louzan says.
This disciplinary move by CAF marks a turbulent end to a memorable AFCON. With these heavy AFCON 2025 sanctions, CAF sends out a call for discipline, fairness, and respect in African football.
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