The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has dismissed Morocco’s protest seeking to strip Senegal of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title following chaotic scenes during the tournament’s final in Rabat.
The Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) filed a complaint stating that Senegal had violated Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON Regulations during the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 final. The continental body rejected the complaint in a ruling issued by the CAF Disciplinary Board. CAF ruled that the protest lacked merit, effectively confirming Senegal’s 1–0 extra-time victory and maintaining the Teranga Lions as champions of Africa.
After intense altercations involving players, officials, and supporters from both teams disrupted the last game, the decision came after weeks of conjecture. Morocco had maintained that Senegal’s actions called for harsh enough penalties to influence the competition’s result.
Citing infractions of the CAF Disciplinary Code, CAF severely disciplined football associations as well as a number of persons engaged in the incident while dismissing the protest. Pape Bouna Thiaw, the head coach of Senegal, was fined $100,000 and suspended for five CAF games for unsportsmanlike behaviour and defaming the sport. Senegalese players Iliman Cheikh Baroy Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr were each handed two-match suspensions for unsporting behaviour toward the referee.
The entire fine imposed on the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football was $615,000. This comprised $300,000 for fans’ inappropriate behaviour, an additional $300,000 for players’ and technical staff’s unsporting conduct, and $15,000 for disciplinary breaches following the booking of five players during the game.
Morocco was also sanctioned. Defender Achraf Hakimi received a two-match suspension, with one match suspended for one year. Midfielder Ismaël Saibari was banned for three CAF matches and fined 100,000 dollars.
CAF fined the Royal Moroccan Football Federation 200,000 dollars for the inappropriate behaviour of ball boys during the final. An additional 100,000-dollar fine was imposed for the invasion of the VAR review area by Moroccan players and officials, which obstructed the referee’s work.
Additionally, Moroccan supporters were fined an additional $15,000 for using lasers. CAF said the sanctions were necessary to uphold the principles of fair play, integrity and loyalty, stressing that the misconduct witnessed during the final brought the game into disrepute
