CAF suspends Pape Thiaw, FSF fined $615,000

The verdict was delivered for Senegal after the hearing on Tuesday, 27 January 2026, before the Disciplinary Board of the Confederation of African Football. The Disciplinary Board decided on suspensions and financial penalties for Senegal and Morocco.

Senegal national team coach Pape Thiaw, players Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaïla Sarr, and the Senegalese Football Federation have been sanctioned by CAF. Pape Thiaw has been suspended for five official CAF matches for unsportsmanlike behaviour, violation of the principles of fair play and integrity, and damage to the image of football. The Senegalese coach will also have to pay a fine of $100,000.

Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaïla Sarr, both players for the Senegal national team, have each been suspended for two official CAF matches for unsportsmanlike behaviour towards the referee.

A fine of $615,000 has been imposed on the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) for the inappropriate behaviour of supporters, which damaged the image of football, for unsportsmanlike behaviour by its players and technical staff in violation of the principles of fair play, loyalty and integrity, and for disciplinary offences by the national team, with five players receiving warnings.

On the Moroccan side, Achraf Hakimi has been suspended for two official CAF matches, including a one-year suspended sentence from the date of the decision, for unsportsmanlike behaviour. Ismaël Saibari has been suspended for three official CAF matches for unsportsmanlike behaviour. Ismaël Saibari has also been fined $100,000.

The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) was fined $200,000 for the inappropriate behaviour of ball boys at the stadium, and another $100,000 for the inappropriate behaviour of the national team players and coaching staff, who invaded the VAR review area and obstructed the referee's work, in violation of Articles 82 and 83 of the CAF Disciplinary Code. A fine of $15,000 was also imposed on the FRMF for the use of lasers by its supporters during the match.

However, the CAF Disciplinary Board rejected the complaint lodged by the FRMF regarding alleged violations by the FSF of Articles 82 and 84 of the Africa Cup of Nations Regulations in connection with the Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 final.