Senegal coach Thiaw gets five-match ban after AFCON final chaos

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has banned Senegal coach Pape Thiaw for five matches after a chaotic Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final against Morocco this month.

CAF made the announcement mid this week the tactician was guilty of “unsporting conduct” and “bringing the game into disrepute” during the decider in Rabat on January 18, 2026 which Senegal won 1-0 after extra time.

Further, CAF imposed a total of $930,000 on Morocco and Senegal for the chaotic scene at the 2025 Nations Cup final.

Senegalese forwards Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr, who play in the English Premier League, received two-match bans for “unsporting behaviour towards the referee”.

The Senegal Football Federation (FSF) was fined a total of $615,000 for various offences during the final.

These included the “unsporting conduct of their players and technical staff in violation of the CAF disciplinary code principles of fair play, loyalty and integrity”.

For “unsporting behaviour”, Moroccan forward Ismael Saibari was handed a three-match ban and a fine of $100,000, while captain and defender Achraf Hakimi was suspended for two matches.

The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) was fined $200,000 for the “inappropriate behaviour of the stadium ball boys”.

An additional fine of $100,000 was imposed for the “improper conduct” of players and technical staff who invaded the VAR review area and obstructed the work of the Congolese referee.

There was also a $15,000 fine after Moroccan supporters used lasers to try and distract Senegalese players, bringing the total to $315,000.

The AFCON final took a series of dramatic turns from late in regular time when a Sarr goal was disallowed for a foul on 2025 African player of the year Hakimi.