The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has issued a series of suspensions and fines following the chaotic scenes that marred the Africa Cup of Nations final.
Tensions flared deep into stoppage time when Morocco were awarded a penalty, prompting Senegal’s players to walk off the pitch in protest before eventually returning. The spot-kick was finally taken 14 minutes later, but Brahim Diaz failed to convert his Panenka attempt. Senegal went on to seal victory in extra time, with Pape Gueye netting the decisive goal.
CAF subsequently sanctioned Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw with a five-match ban and a $100,000 (£72,000) fine for unsporting conduct after instructing his players to leave the field. Teammates Ismaila Sarr and Iliman Ndiaye were each handed two-match suspensions for their behaviour towards the referee.
On the Moroccan side, captain Achraf Hakimi received a two-match ban — with one game suspended for a year — for attempting to remove goalkeeper Edouard Mendy’s towel during the rainy conditions. Ismael Saibari was also punished with a three-game suspension and a $100,000 fine for a similar incident.
Morocco were further fined $200,000 (£144,000) due to misconduct involving ball boys, player behaviour, the use of lasers by supporters, and staff entering the Video Assistant Review area.