Senegal manager Pape Thiaw banned for five games after Africa Cup of Nations final controversy, Ismaila Sarr and Achraf Hakimi also punished
Published 29/01/2026 at 11:47 GMT
The remarkable scenes at the end of the Africa Cup of Nations final earlier this month were always likely to have repercussions. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) have now handed out several bans and fines to staff and players from both Senegal and Morocco. Senegal manager Pape Thiaw has been given a five-match ban, while Ismaila Sarr and Achraf Hakimi have also been punished.
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Senegal manager Pape Thiaw has been banned for five matches following the Africa Cup of Nations final.
Thiaw's country beat hosts Morocco in controversial circumstances, with Senegal's players leaving the pitch under instruction from their manager after conceding a late penalty in normal time.
There was a delay of around 17 minutes before the players returned to the pitch and Brahim Diaz's Panenka penalty was saved by Edouard Mendy. Senegal went on to win in extra-time thanks to a goal from Pape Gueye.
Morocco filed a complaint after the game, making clear their fury at Senegal's conduct, and Thiaw has now been punished for his actions.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) said the 44-year-old was "unsporting conduct" and "bringing the game into disrepute", and issued a fine of $100,000.
Thiaw's five-match ban will impact CAF matches only and will not include the upcoming FIFA World Cup.
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Senegal forwards Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr were also given two-match bans for "unsporting behaviour towards the referee", and the Senegal Football Federation (FSF) was fined a total of $615,000.
Morocco did not escape without punishment as forward Ismael Saibari received a three-match ban and a $100,000 fine.
Paris Saint-Germain full-back Achraf Hakimi was also given a two-match ban, with one suspended, for "unsporting behaviour".
An appeal from Morocco's football federation (FRMF) to overturn the result of the match because of Senegal's decision to leave the pitch was dismissed by CAF.
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The chaos marred an otherwise impressive achievement for Senegal, who won their second AFCON in three tournaments.
The Lions of Teranga will hope to take that momentum into the World Cup, where they are in a difficult group with France and Norway.
Star player Sadio Mane, who scored twice and provided three assists in Morocco, earned plaudits for his comments on the controversial AFCON final.
"Football is something special, the world was watching, the world loves football and I think football is a pleasure so we have to give a good image for football," he said.
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"I think it would be crazy to not play this game because, what, the referee gave a penalty and we go out of the game? I think that would be the worst thing, especially in African football. I'd rather lose than this kind of thing happen to our football.
"I think it's really bad. Football should not stop for even 10 minutes but what can we do? We have to accept that we did but the good thing is that we came back and we played the game, and what happened happened."
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