The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has imposed a five-game suspension and a $100,000 fine on Senegal’s coach, Pape Thiaw, for “unsporting conduct” after he instructed his players to exit the pitch during the Africa Cup of Nations final against Morocco.
Additionally, Senegal’s football federation has been fined $615,000 due to the team’s behavior and the actions of their supporters. Players Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaïla Sarr have also been suspended for two CAF matches for unsporting behavior toward the referee.
Morocco’s Football Association faced a total fine of $315,000, and CAF stated that Thiaw’s suspension was due to “bringing the game into disrepute.” Cumulatively, the fines for both nations exceed $1 million.
These sanctions are exclusively for African competitions and do not affect the FIFA World Cup, which both Senegal and Morocco qualified for and will begin in June.
Morocco’s request to overturn the match result, citing the delay caused by Senegal’s players leaving the pitch, was rejected by CAF’s Disciplinary Committee.
The fines levied against Morocco were largely attributable to the conduct of ball boys during the match, as well as the behavior of their players and staff in the Video Assistant Review area, alongside fans using lasers.
Moreover, there was an unusual incident where Moroccan ball boys attempted to grab a towel from Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy in an effort to distract him, prompting a $200,000 fine for Morocco.
Morocco’s captain Achraf Hakimi received a two-match suspension (one year suspended), while Ismael Saibari was suspended for three matches and fined $100,000 for their conduct regarding Mendy’s towel during adverse weather conditions in Rabat.
Thiaw’s decision to instruct his players to leave the pitch came after a disallowed goal, shortly before a penalty was awarded to Morocco—although they ultimately missed it, taken by Brahim Díaz.
Senegal eventually secured victory with an extra-time goal by Pape Gueye.
Following the final, Morocco’s coach Walid Regragui criticized the match for portraying African soccer in a “shameful” light. These disturbances have had a detrimental impact on Morocco’s reputation, as it prepares to co-host the 2030 World Cup with Spain and Portugal.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino described the incidents during the Africa Cup as “ugly” and anticipated disciplinary measures from CAF.
While Morocco aimed to host the 2030 World Cup final at the under-construction Hassan II Stadium, which is projected to be the largest soccer arena globally with a capacity of 115,000 by 2028, Spain has announced it will host the final instead.
CAF rejected Morocco’s appeal to overturn the match result and declare them the winners due to Senegal’s walk-off.
The match even sparked diplomatic tensions between Senegal and Morocco, leading political leaders in both countries to promote the importance of maintaining friendly relations. Rights groups in Morocco condemned the hate speech directed at sub-Saharan Africans in the country during this turbulent time.
Senegal’s Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, during a recent investment trip to Morocco, characterized the public response to the match as “emotional reactions fueled by fervor rather than political or cultural divisions.”
Information from The Associated Press was utilized in this report.