CAF Bans Hakimi, Thiaw After Chaotic AFCON 2025 Final

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced major sanctions for Senegal and Morocco following chaos during the AFCON 2025 final on January 18.

The match, which Senegal won late through Pape Gueye, was calm until stoppage time when referee Jean-Philippe Ndala made controversial decisions, including a disallowed Senegal goal and a disputed penalty for Morocco.

Senegal coach Pape Thiaw reacted by calling his players off the pitch, before Sadio Mané persuaded them to return. Fighting also broke out among fans, leaving some injured.

CAF said it would “suspend Mr Pape Thiaw…for five (5) official CAF matches” and fined him $100,000. Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr were each banned for two matches. Senegal’s FA was fined $300,000 for supporter misconduct and another $300,000 for player and staff behaviour.

Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi was suspended for two matches, while Ismaël Saibari received a three-match ban plus a $100,000 fine. Morocco’s FA was also fined for ball boy behaviour, VAR obstruction, and laser use.