The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially cracked down on the “shambolic” events of the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations final. Following a match defined by player walk-offs, fan violence, and VAR controversy, both the champions, Senegal, and the runners-up, Morocco, have been slapped with historic sanctions and massive financial penalties.
Pape Thiaw Faces 5-Game Ban for Walk-Off Protest
The most severe individual punishment was handed to Senegal’s head coach, Pape Thiaw. CAF suspended Thiaw for five official matches and fined him $100,000 for “unsporting conduct.”
The sanction stems from the 92nd minute of the final, where Thiaw ordered his players to leave the pitch in protest after a controversial penalty was awarded to Morocco. While Sadio Mané eventually persuaded the team to return after a 15-minute delay, CAF ruled that Thiaw’s actions brought the game into disrepute.
Heavy Fines for Senegal’s Lions of Teranga
Despite winning their second AFCON title with a 1-0 extra-time victory, the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) faces a total financial hit of $615,000:
- $300,000 for “improper conduct of supporters” who clashed with security forces.
- $300,000 for the “unsporting behavior” of players and technical staff.
- $15,000 for team misconduct after five players received cautions during the match.
Additionally, stars Ismaïla Sarr and Iliman Ndiaye have been handed two-game bans for their unprofessional behavior toward the match officials.
Morocco Sanctioned Over Lasers and Ball Boy Conduct
The host nation, Morocco, did not escape the disciplinary board’s reach. The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) was fined a total of $315,000, with a significant portion allocated to bizarre stadium management issues:
- $200,000 for the “inappropriate behavior” of ball boys, who were accused of stealing a towel from Senegalese keeper Édouard Mendy.
- $100,000 for players and staff obstructing the VAR review area.
- $15,000 for the use of prohibited lasers by fans to distract Senegalese players.
Morocco’s captain Achraf Hakimi received a two-match ban (one suspended), while Ismaël Saibari was hit with a three-match suspension and a $100,000 fine for his role in the post-match turmoil.
Important: World Cup Eligibility
CAF confirmed that these suspensions apply only to official CAF competitions (such as AFCON 2027 qualifiers). These bans will not prevent any players or coaches from participating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup this June.
