Following a tumultuous Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final against Morocco last month, Senegal coach Pape Thiaw was banned for five Confederation of African Football (CAF) games, it was confirmed on Wednesday.
The tactician was accused of “unsporting conduct” and “bringing the game into disrepute” during the January 18 decider in Rabat, which Senegal won 1-0 after extra time, according to a CAF statement.
Ismaila Sarr and Iliman Ndiaye, two Senegalese attackers in the English Premier League, were banned for two games for “unsporting behavior towards the referee.”
For a number of infractions committed during the final, the Senegal Football Federation (FSF) was fined a total of $615,000.
“Unsporting conduct of their players and technical staff in violation of the CAF disciplinary code principles of fair play, loyalty, and integrity” was one of these.
For “unsporting behavior,” Captain and defender Achraf Hakimi received a two-match suspension, while Moroccan forward Ismael Saibari received a three-match ban and a $100,000 fine.
The “inappropriate behavior of the stadium ball boys” resulted in a $200,000 fine for the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF).
Players and technical personnel who entered the VAR review area and interfered with the Congolese referee’s job were fined an additional $100,000 for their “improper conduct.”
The total came to $315,000 as Moroccan supporters attempted to divert Senegalese players with lasers, resulting in a further $15,000 fine.
After a Sarr goal was disallowed late in regular time due to a foul on 2025 African Player of the Year Hakimi, the AFCON final took a number of dramatic turns.
Enraged demonstrations
After star player Brahim Diaz was fouled, Morocco was given a penalty, which infuriated Senegalese demonstrators.
Thiaw gestured to his teammates during the final’s TV telecast. Many others took this to mean that he was telling his squad to get off the field.
Star striker Sadio Mane did not accompany the majority of the team when they left to go to the changing room; instead, he convinced his teammates to return to the field so that play could resume.
Morocco missed the long-delayed penalty after Edouard Mendy stopped a feeble attempt by Diaz. Senegal won a second AFCON championship after Pape Gueye scored in extra time.
Before police and security personnel interfered, some Senegalese-colored supporters launched objects and others briefly invaded the field as play was suspended due to the disputed decision.
The four players’ and Thiaw’s bans are related to CAF games. They won’t have an impact on Senegal’s and Morocco’s World Cup preparations in the US, Canada, and Mexico in 2026.
Senegal, France, Norway, and the winners of the intercontinental play-offs between Bolivia, Suriname, and Iraq make up Group I.
Morocco will play Brazil, Scotland, and Haiti in Group C. In 2022, Morocco became the first Arab or African nation to go to the World Cup semifinals.
Five of Senegal’s six 2027 AFCON qualification games in September, October, and November will not include Thiaw in the dugout. The first two qualifiers will be missed by the players.
