CAF Sanctions After AFCON Final Incidents: Hakimi Suspended for Two African Competition Matches, One Match Suspended
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced early Thursday a series of disciplinary sanctions following the events that transpired during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final. The match, held in Rabat, saw Senegal defeat Morocco to claim the title.
Achraf Hakimi was among the prominent names affected by the disciplinary committee's decisions. CAF decided to suspend him for two official matches in African competitions, with one match suspended for a period of one year, due to behavior deemed unsporting during the final.
Player Ismail Saibari also received a three-match official ban and was fined $100,000 for actions violating disciplinary rules and sportsmanship.
The sanctions extended to the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, which was fined $200,000 for inappropriate conduct by ball boys on the field. An additional fine of $100,000 was imposed due to players and technical staff entering the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review area, which disrupted the officiating team's work during the match. Furthermore, a $15,000 fine was levied for the use of laser pointers by some Moroccan fans.
The Senegalese Football Federation was not exempt from penalties. CAF decided to suspend Senegal's coach, Pape Boubacar Thiaw, for five official matches in continental competitions and fined him $100,000 for unsporting behavior.
Players Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaïla Sarr were each suspended for two official matches due to their conduct towards the referee.
CAF also imposed a $300,000 fine on the Senegalese Federation for the behavior of its fans, along with an additional fine of the same amount for the conduct of its players and technical staff. A further $15,000 fine was issued because five players received yellow cards during the match.
Concluding its decisions, the CAF disciplinary committee announced its rejection of the complaint filed by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation against the Senegalese Federation, which had sought additional sanctions based on Articles 82 and 84 of the Africa Cup of Nations regulations.
