Senegal and Morocco fined and banned after AFCON final chaos

Just over 10 days after one of the most chaotic Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals in history, the continent’s football governing body (CAF) has issued fines worth more than $1m (€835,000) and banned players from both finalists.

A CAF statement released on Wednesday outlined that the Senegal Football Federation had been fined a total of $615,000 for the “unsporting conduct of their players and technical staff in violation of the CAF disciplinary code principles of fair play, loyalty and integrity”.

Senegal coach Pape Thiaw has been banned for five of the six 2027 AFCON qualifying matches and handed an individual fine of $100,000 for “bringing the game into disrepute.” Senegal players Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr will miss the first two qualifiers for the next AFCON later this year for “unsporting behavior towards the referee”.

The final saw Senegal walk off in protest at Morocco being given a late penalty after a VAR (video assistant referee) review moments after Senegal had a goal disallowed. Fans tried to storm the field, journalists fought among each other and after a 15-minute delay, Morocco missed the penalty. Senegal went on to win the game in extra time. Afterwards, Morocco head coach Walid Regragui said the game had given African football a shameful image.

Morocco also hit with big fine

Morocco’s federation were fined a total of $315,000 for unsporting and improper conduct by their players, coaches and supporters. A whopping $200,000 of that total was for the behavior of the stadium ball boys, who attempted to seize a towel being used by Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy on a wet night in Rabat — in an apparent bid to distract him.

An additional fine of $100,000 was imposed for the “improper conduct” of players and technical staff who invaded the VAR review area and obstructed the work of the DR Congo referee Jean-Jacques Ndala. There was also a $15,000 fine after Moroccan supporters used lasers to try and distract Senegalese players during the game. Captain Achraf Hakimi was also banned for two games, with one suspended, and Morocco’s Ismael Saibari was banned for three games, both for “unsporting behavior”.

Morocco’s appeal to have the result canceled and the hosts declared the winner because of Senegal’s walk-off was dismissed by CAF.

Morocco will be co-hosting the 2030 World Cup, and are hosting the Women’s U17 World Cup annually for five straight years.

Before then, both teams will play at the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada.

Senegal are in Group I with France, Norway and the winners of the intercontinental play-offs (Bolivia, Suriname or Iraq), but may have to manage without their fans. Morocco, who four years ago in Qatar became the first African country to reach the semifinals of a World Cup, will face Brazil, Scotland and Haiti in Group C.

Edited by: Matt Pearson