Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy is targeted by a laser during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) final football match between Senegal and Morocco at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on January 18. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has handed down heavy sanctions to both Senegal and Morocco following the disorderly scenes that overshadowed the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 final. In a statement released this week, the Confederation of African Football confirmed that its Disciplinary Board had imposed suspensions and significant financial penalties on the Senegalese Football Federation and the Moroccan Football Federation, as well as several players and officials, for violations of the CAF Disciplinary Code.
The most severe punishment was reserved for Senegal head coach Pape Bouna Thiaw, whose conduct during the tense closing stages of the final drew widespread criticism. Thiaw has been suspended for five official CAF matches and fined USD 100,000 (approximately R1.9 million) for unsporting behaviour and for bringing the game into disrepute. CAF also moved decisively against Senegal’s players, suspending Iliman Cheikh Baroy Ndiaye for two official CAF matches after he was found guilty of unsporting conduct towards the referee. Ismaila Sarr received an identical two-match suspension for similar behaviour in the aftermath of key officiating decisions.
