African Cup Final Chaos: Senegal and Morocco Hit with Heavy Fines and Player Bans
The Confederation of African Football has imposed severe sanctions on both Senegal and Morocco following the tumultuous African Cup of Nations final earlier this month. The football governing body issued fines totalling more than $1 million and handed out multiple player suspensions in response to the unsporting conduct that overshadowed the continental showpiece.
Substantial Financial Penalties for Both Nations
The Senegalese Football Federation has been fined $615,000 while their Moroccan counterparts face a $315,000 penalty for what CAF described as unsporting and improper conduct by players, coaching staff, and supporters. These substantial financial punishments reflect the seriousness with which African football authorities view the incidents that marred what should have been a celebration of continental football excellence.
Walk-Off Protest Triggers Major Sanctions
The chaotic final on January 18th in Rabat descended into controversy when Senegal players, led by coach Pape Thiaw, staged a walk-off protest against a late penalty awarded to host nation Morocco. This dramatic protest resulted in Thiaw receiving a five-game ban from African competitions alongside an individual fine of $100,000 for bringing the game into disrepute.
After approximately fifteen minutes of disruption, the match eventually resumed with Morocco missing the contentious penalty. Senegal ultimately secured the African title with a 1-0 victory after extra time, though the triumph has been significantly overshadowed by the subsequent disciplinary actions.
Multiple Players Face Suspensions
The sanctions extend beyond coaching staff to include several key players from both finalists. Senegal's Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr have each received two-game bans, while Moroccan defender Achraf Hakimi faces a two-match suspension with one game suspended. Moroccan midfielder Ismael Saibari has been handed a three-game ban alongside a $100,000 fine for unsporting behavior during the heated encounter.
Additional Incidents Compound Final Chaos
The controversial final witnessed multiple additional incidents that contributed to the substantial penalties. Supporters attempted to storm the field during the match, while players from both nations engaged in sideline scuffles. The chaos extended to press areas where journalists from Senegal and Morocco became involved in physical altercations.
Perhaps the most unusual incident involved Moroccan ball boys who attempted to seize a towel being used by Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy in what appeared to be a deliberate attempt to distract the shot-stopper. This behavior resulted in an additional $200,000 fine for the Moroccan federation, bringing their total penalties to over half a million dollars.
Moroccan Appeal Dismissed by CAF
The African football body has firmly dismissed Morocco's appeal to have the match result overturned in their favor due to the Senegalese walk-off protest. This decision confirms Senegal's victory while underscoring CAF's determination to address the multiple breaches of sporting conduct that occurred during and after the final.
The sanctions come at a particularly sensitive time for Moroccan football authorities as the nation prepares to co-host the 2030 World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal. The disciplinary actions highlight the scrutiny facing host nations and the expectations for professional conduct at major football tournaments.
