Senegal Coach Pape Thiaw Banned Five CAF Matches After Chaotic AFCON Final

Senegal coach Pape Thiaw has been banned for five Confederation of African Football (CAF) matches following a turbulent Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final against Morocco on January 18, it was announced on Wednesday. The match, held in Rabat, ended 1-0 in Senegal’s favour after extra time.

CAF cited Thiaw for “unsporting conduct” and “bringing the game into disrepute,” while Senegalese forwards Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr received two-match bans for “unsporting behaviour towards the referee.” The Senegal Football Federation (FSF) was fined $615,000 for violations including misconduct by players and technical staff.

Moroccan players and officials were also sanctioned. Forward Ismael Saibari received a three-match ban and $100,000 fine, while captain Achraf Hakimi was suspended for two matches. The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) was fined $200,000 due to misconduct by stadium ball boys, and an additional $115,000 was levied for fans using lasers and staff interfering with VAR operations.

The AFCON final was marked by controversy when Sarr’s goal was disallowed for a foul on Hakimi, followed by a disputed penalty awarded to Morocco. Senegalese protests briefly halted play, with some players temporarily leaving the field and fans throwing projectiles. Star forward Sadio Mane persuaded the team to return, and Senegal ultimately won in extra time through Pape Gueye’s decisive goal.

The CAF bans will affect Senegal’s 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign, barring Thiaw from the dugout for five of six matches in September, October, and November. Ndiaye and Sarr will miss the first two qualifiers. The sanctions, however, will not impact preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where Senegal is in Group I with France, Norway, and the winners of intercontinental playoffs, while Morocco faces Brazil, Scotland, and Haiti in Group C.