The Confederation of African Football (CAF) Disciplinary Committee has issued a decision imposing severe and harsh sanctions on the Senegalese Football Federation and its futsal team, following the unfortunate events that took place during the final match of the 2024 Africa Futsal Cup of Nations, which was hosted by Morocco and won its title for the third time in a row.
Background and context of the tournament
The Africa Futsal Cup of Nations was held in the Moroccan capital, Rabat, and witnessed fierce competition among the continent's best teams. The Moroccan national team, the defending champions and hosts, delivered an exceptional performance throughout the tournament, bolstered by strong home support and the extensive experience of its players. Meanwhile, the Senegalese national team also had a remarkable tournament and deservedly reached the final. The final match, held at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Hall, ended with a resounding 5-1 victory for the Moroccan team, confirming their dominance in the sport at the African level. However, the tension surrounding the match reached its peak after the final whistle, with some members of the Senegalese team displaying unsportsmanlike conduct towards the refereeing team, prompting intervention from the CAF Disciplinary Committee.
Details of the sanctions issued by CAF
Based on the reports of the match officials and observers, and after a thorough review of the events, the CAF Disciplinary Committee decided to impose the following sanctions to ensure the preservation of sportsmanship and respect for the game:
- Pape Bouna Thiaw suspended: The Senegal futsal team coach has been suspended for 5 official CAF matches due to his unsportsmanlike and disgraceful conduct, and has been fined a hefty sum of US$100,000.
- Player Cheikh Barwe Ndiaye suspended: The player has been suspended for two official matches due to his inappropriate behavior towards the match referee.
- Player Ismaila Sarr suspended: A similar penalty was imposed on the player, suspending him for two official matches for unsportsmanlike conduct directed against the referee.
- Senegalese Football Federation fined a hefty $600,000 for irresponsible and inappropriate behavior by fans, players and coaching staff.
- Additional fine: An additional fine of $15,000 was imposed on the Senegalese Football Federation because five of its players received yellow cards during the final match.
The importance of the decision and its future impact
These sanctions send a clear and firm message from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) that it will not tolerate any misconduct or behavior that tarnishes the integrity and reputation of African football. These decisions underscore the importance of respecting referees and their decisions, and the necessity for sportsmanship from all parties involved, whether players, technical staff, or fans. These sanctions are expected to have a deterrent effect at the continental level and will directly impact the Senegalese national team's preparations for upcoming competitions, both technically, due to the absence of its coach and players, and financially, due to the substantial fines imposed on the federation.
