CAF Suspends Achraf Hakimi for Two Matches Over Unsporting Behaviour in AFCON Final Against Senegal

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has suspended Morocco and Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi for two official matches following an incident during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final against Senegal.

The incident occurred in the heated final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, where Hakimi was seen taking a towel belonging to Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy and throwing it into the stands. The act was captured on camera and quickly became a talking point during the match.

CAF’s disciplinary review further revealed that Hakimi, alongside teammate Ismaïl Saibari, attempted to prevent the towel from being returned to Mendy. The governing body classified the actions as unsporting behaviour, noting that they disrupted play and went against the spirit of fair competition.

After assessing match officials’ reports and video evidence, CAF’s disciplinary committee handed Hakimi a two-match suspension. However, one of the two matches has been suspended for a period of one year, meaning the additional ban will only be enforced if the player commits a similar offense within that timeframe.

In an official statement, CAF said:

“To suspend the Moroccan National Team player, Mr Achraf Hakimi for two (2) official CAF matches, with one (1) of these matches being suspended for one (1) year from the date of this decision, for his unsporting behaviour.”