Senegal head coach, Pape Thiaw, has been suspended for five matches by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) following his conduct during the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final against Morocco earlier this month.
CAF also imposed a fine of $100,000 (£72,000) on Thiaw, citing unsporting conduct and actions that brought the game into disrepute.
The final, held in Rabat and won 1–0 by Senegal, was disrupted in stoppage time after Morocco were awarded a penalty. In protest, Senegalese players briefly walked off the pitch on the instruction of their coach, who was still angered by the referee’s earlier decision to disallow Ismaila Sarr’s goal for a foul on Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi.
Play was halted for about 17 minutes before Senegal captain Sadio Mané convinced his teammates to return to the field. Morocco’s Brahim Díaz attempted a Panenka-style penalty, but it was saved by Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, after which referee Jean-Jacques Ndala ended the match.
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Senegal had already taken the lead earlier through Pape Gueye, who scored the winning goal in the fourth minute of extra time, securing the country’s second AFCON title in five years.
CAF also handed two-match suspensions to Senegal forward Iliman Ndiaye and midfielder Ismaila Sarr for unsporting behaviour towards the referee, while the Senegal Football Federation was fined $615,000 (£444,000).
On the Moroccan side, forward Ismael Saibari received a three-match ban and a $100,000 fine, while defender Achraf Hakimi was suspended for two matches.
CAF clarified that all suspensions apply only to its competitions and will not affect the teams’ preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
