Senegal coach Pape Thiaw receives a five-match ban and fine from CAF for unsporting conduct during the dramatic AFCON final against Morocco.
SENEGAL coach Pape Thiaw has been banned for five matches and fined $100,000 following the chaotic scenes at the Africa Cup of Nations final.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced the sanctions on Thursday, stating Thiaw was guilty of unsporting conduct and bringing the game into disrepute.
The incidents occurred during the final in Rabat on January 18, which Senegal won 1-0 after extra time.
READ MORE: Morocco’s AFCON final chaos overshadows tournament success
Television coverage showed Thiaw gesturing towards his players after Morocco were awarded a penalty in added time, an action widely interpreted as instructing his team to leave the field.
Senegalese forwards Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr each received two-match bans for unsporting behaviour towards the referee.
The Senegal Football Federation was fined a total of $615,000 for various offences by its players and technical staff during the decider.
Moroccan forward Ismael Saibari was handed a three-match ban and a $100,000 fine, while captain Achraf Hakimi was suspended for two matches.
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation was fined $200,000 for the inappropriate behaviour of stadium ball boys.
An additional $100,000 fine was imposed for players and staff invading the VAR review area and obstructing the referee.
Morocco were also fined $15,000 after supporters used lasers to distract Senegalese players, bringing their total fines to $315,000.
The final took dramatic turns late in regular time when a Sarr goal was disallowed for a foul on Hakimi.
Morocco were then awarded a penalty when Brahim Diaz was fouled, sparking furious Senegalese protests.
Most of the Senegal team walked off the pitch and went to the changing room following Thiaw’s gestures.
Star forward Sadio Mane did not follow them and later persuaded his teammates to return so play could resume.
Morocco missed the long-delayed penalty with a weak shot from Diaz saved by Edouard Mendy.
Pape Gueye then scored in extra time to give Senegal a second AFCON title.
While play was halted over the disputed penalty, some supporters threw projectiles and others temporarily invaded the pitch before police intervened.
The bans for Thiaw and the four players apply to CAF matches and will not affect 2026 World Cup preparations.
Senegalese officials said they intend to appeal the sanctions, with sports minister Khady Diene Gaye calling Thiaw a “true patriot”.
Thiaw will be barred from the dugout for five of Senegal’s six 2027 AFCON qualifying matches in September, October and November.
The sanctioned players will miss the first two qualifiers. – AFP
