The African Cup of Nations (AFCON) final between Senegal and Morocco descended into unprecedented chaos, prompting the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to impose stringent sanctions on both teams. The incidents, which included a team walkout, on-field scuffles, and fan disturbances, culminated in CAF announcing fines exceeding $1 million (approximately BDT 12.23 crore) and suspensions for several players and coaches.
CAF clarified that the penalties apply solely to African tournaments and will not affect the teams’ participation in the upcoming FIFA World Cup in June 2026. Both Senegal and Morocco have qualified for the global event, but the final held on 18 January in Rabat has left an indelible mark on African football’s reputation.
Fines and Suspensions Overview
| Country | Individual | Role | Suspension | Fine (USD) | Approx. BDT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Senegal | Pape Thiaw | Coach | 5 matches | 100,000 | 1.22 crore |
| Senegal | Elimane Ndiaye | Player | 2 matches | – | – |
| Senegal | Ismaila Sarr | Player | 2 matches | – | – |
| Morocco | Achraf Hakimi | Player | 2 matches | – | – |
| Morocco | Ismaila Sarr | Player | 3 matches | 100,000 | 1.22 crore |
Federation-Level Fines
| Federation | Fine (USD) | Approx. BDT |
|---|---|---|
| Senegal Football Federation | 615,000 | 7.52 crore |
| Morocco Football Federation | 315,000 | 3.85 crore |
| Morocco Ball Boys | 200,000 | 2.44 crore |
What Happened on the Pitch
The controversy centred on Senegal’s coach, Pape Thiaw, who pulled his team off the field in protest against a last-minute penalty awarded to Morocco. The walkout halted the match for nearly 15 minutes. After play resumed, Morocco missed the penalty, but Senegal eventually secured the African title with a 1-0 victory in extra time.
The match was marred by multiple incidents, including fans attempting to enter the pitch, sideline confrontations between players, and clashes among journalists in the press box. In one unusual incident, Moroccan ball boys attempted to distract Senegalese goalkeeper Edouard Mendy by snatching his towel, resulting in a separate fine for Morocco.
Impact on Reputation and Diplomacy
As co-hosts of the 2030 World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal, Morocco’s reputation suffered from the “disgraceful” final, according to coach Walid Regragui. CAF rejected Senegal’s appeal to annul the result and award Morocco the trophy.
The heated encounter also strained diplomatic relations between the two nations. Human rights organisations in Morocco accused authorities of discriminatory remarks against Sub-Saharan Africans. However, both countries’ leaders have called for calm. Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, visiting Morocco, urged that the events be seen as an “emotional outburst” rather than a political or cultural divide.
