CAF Fines Morocco And Senegal After AFCON Final Indiscipline

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has imposed heavy fines and disciplinary sanctions on Morocco and Senegal following scenes of indiscipline that marred the Africa Cup of Nations final. citeturn2search0turn2search1

The highly charged final, played in Rabat on January 18, descended into chaos after a controversial late VAR decision awarded Morocco a decisive penalty, triggering protests from Senegal’s players and technical bench. citeturn2search0

Senegalese players briefly walked off the pitch, while officials confronted match referees in what CAF later described as conduct that “brought the game into disrepute.” citeturn2search1

CAF’s Disciplinary Board met last week and released its verdict on Tuesday, confirming that both federations had breached multiple articles of the CAF Disciplinary Code. citeturn2search2

Senegal received the heaviest financial punishment, with the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) fined a total of USD 615,000 for supporter misconduct, team indiscipline, and unsporting behavior by players and officials. citeturn2search1turn2search3

CAF said Senegalese supporters were responsible for crowd disturbances, while players and staff aggressively protested refereeing decisions and delayed the restart of play. citeturn2search1

Senegal head coach Pape Bouna Thiaw was handed a five-match suspension from CAF competitions and fined USD 100,000 for leading protests against match officials. citeturn2search1

Two Senegal players, Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaïla Sarr, were each suspended for two matches for unsporting conduct directed at the referee. citeturn2search3

Morocco were also sanctioned, with CAF fining the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) a total of USD 315,000 for multiple breaches during the final. citeturn2search0

CAF found Morocco guilty of failing to control match officials and stadium operations, including inappropriate actions by ball boys who interfered with play. citeturn2search0

Moroccan defender Achraf Hakimi received a two-match ban, with one match suspended for a probationary period of one year. citeturn2search2

Midfielder Ismaël Saibari was handed a three-match suspension and fined USD 100,000 for unsporting conduct during the post-penalty protests. citeturn2search2

CAF also cited the use of laser devices by Moroccan supporters, which contributed to additional sanctions against the host nation. citeturn2search0

In a statement, CAF stressed that the punishments were intended to protect the integrity of African football and send a strong message against intimidation of match officials. citeturn2search1

The governing body clarified that all suspensions apply only to CAF competitions and will not affect the players’ eligibility in FIFA tournaments, including World Cup qualifiers. citeturn2search1

Combined, the sanctions exceed USD 1 million, making them among the harshest disciplinary measures ever imposed following an AFCON final. citeturn2search2turn2search3

Tags: Afcon CAF Total Energies Morocco Fc Senegal Fc Signs Media Kenya Limited Editor's Pick

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