By Forum staff writer
Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw has been handed a five match ban and fined 100,000 dollars by the Confederation of African Football following chaotic scenes during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final against hosts Morocco.
CAF said the sanction was imposed after Thiaw was found guilty of unsporting conduct and bringing the game into disrepute during the final played on 18 January in Rabat. Despite the controversy Senegal went on to secure a 1 0 victory to lift the continental title.
The final descended into confusion late in stoppage time when Morocco were awarded a penalty by the referee. Moments earlier Senegal appeared to have doubled their lead when Ismaila Sarr headed the ball into the net following a free kick situation. However the referee had already blown his whistle for a foul on Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi cancelling the goal.
The decision sparked strong protests from Senegal’s technical bench and players. Still visibly angry over the referee’s call Thiaw instructed his players to leave the pitch in protest after the penalty was awarded. The walk off caused a lengthy delay and raised concerns about whether the final would be completed.
CAF in a statement said Thiaw’s actions contributed significantly to the disorder and undermined the integrity of the match. The governing body stressed that while emotions can run high in major finals team officials are expected to show restraint and respect for match officials and competition regulations.
The five match ban means Thiaw will miss Senegal’s next competitive fixtures under CAF jurisdiction including upcoming qualifiers and tournament matches. The fine is one of the heaviest imposed on a national team coach in recent years highlighting CAF’s intention to discourage similar incidents in the future.
Senegalese players eventually returned to the field and the match resumed with Morocco taking the penalty. The effort was missed allowing Senegal to hold on to their narrow lead and claim the Africa Cup of Nations title. While celebrations followed the final whistle the controversy overshadowed what should have been a historic moment for Senegalese football.
Neither the Senegal Football Federation nor Thiaw has issued a detailed response to the sanction as of now. However sources close to the team say there is disappointment over the severity of the punishment even as there is acknowledgment that the situation could have been handled better.
CAF reiterated its commitment to maintaining discipline fairness and respect for officials across all its competitions. The body added that safeguarding the image of African football remains a top priority especially during high profile matches such as the Africa Cup of Nations final.
Source BBC
