The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has suspended Senegal head coach Pape Bouna Thiaw for five official CAF matches and fined him US$100,000 following chaotic scenes during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final against Morocco.

The ruling comes after Senegal’s players temporarily walked off the pitch in protest over a late penalty decision awarded to Morocco after a VAR review during the final in Rabat. Senegal later returned to the field and went on to win the match 1–0 after extra time, securing the AFCON title.

CAF’s Disciplinary Board found that Thiaw played a central role in the protest, citing unsporting conduct and behaviour that brought the game into disrepute. Television footage showed the coach gesturing for his players to leave the pitch, an action that caused a delay of more than 10 minutes before play resumed.

As a result of the ruling, Thiaw will be barred from the touchline for Senegal’s next five CAF-sanctioned matches, a significant blow for the reigning African champions as they prepare for upcoming continental competitions.

CAF also imposed additional sanctions on Senegal:

• The Senegal Football Federation was fined approximately US$615,000 for team and supporter misconduct.
• Players Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr were each suspended for two CAF matches for their conduct toward match officials.

Despite the controversy, CAF rejected Morocco’s appeal to have Senegal stripped of the AFCON title, confirming that the match result and Senegal’s championship victory would stand.

The final, played at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, was one of the most dramatic in AFCON history, overshadowed by disputes over officiating and intense post-match reactions.

Source: Reuters