Historic sanctions hit Morocco and Senegal after a heated final
Following one of the most controversial finals in the history of the Africa Cup of Nations, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Disciplinary Committee issued a series of harsh sanctions against the football federations of Senegal and Morocco. These decisions came in the wake of the chaotic events that marred the final match between the two teams in Rabat, which ended with Senegal's victory amidst a highly charged atmosphere, casting a shadow over the sporting achievement and reigniting the debate about sportsmanship on the continent.
The context of the fierce competition between the continent's giants
Matches between North and West African teams are among the fiercest continental derbies, and the encounter between Morocco and Senegal carries a special significance, as they represent two rising footballing powers. Morocco, who impressed the world by reaching the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup, and Senegal, the reigning champions of the Africa Cup of Nations, entered the final with high ambitions. This intense rivalry, coupled with immense fan pressure, contributed to a charged atmosphere that ultimately led to things spiraling out of control.
Details of the events that ignited the final
The final minutes of regulation time witnessed unprecedented drama. The crisis began when the referee disallowed a Senegalese goal, then reversed his decision and awarded Morocco a penalty after a VAR review. This decision enraged the Senegalese players, who threatened to walk off the pitch. Play was halted for about fifteen minutes before star player Sadio Mane intervened to persuade his teammates to return. Ibrahim Dias missed the penalty for Morocco, sending the match into extra time, where Pape Gueye scored a stunning goal to secure the title for the "Lions of Teranga." The chaos wasn't confined to the pitch; it spilled into the stands with rioting by Senegalese fans, as well as unsportsmanlike conduct from Moroccan players and ball boys who hid the towels belonging to Senegal's goalkeeper, Edouard Mendy.
Sanctions imposed by CAF
The African Football Confederation's response was decisive, rejecting the protest filed by the Moroccan Football Federation and imposing a series of sanctions on both parties to ensure such scenes are not repeated:
Sanctions against the Senegalese national team:
- Coach Pape Tiao has been suspended for five official matches and fined $100,000 for his unsportsmanlike conduct.
- Players Elman Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr have been suspended for two official matches.
- Senegalese Football Federation fined $300,000 for fan violence.
- An additional fine of $300,000 for the misconduct of the players and coaching staff.
Sanctions for the Moroccan national team:
- Captain Achraf Hakimi has been suspended for two matches (one of which is suspended for one year).
- Player Ismail Sibari has been suspended for three official matches and fined $100,000.
- The Moroccan Football Federation was fined $200,000 for the misconduct of its ball boys.
- A $100,000 fine due to the behavior of the players and coaching staff and the intrusion into the VAR review area.
Future impact and deterrent message
An official source confirmed that these suspensions will only apply to competitions organized by CAF, meaning they will affect both national teams' campaigns in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers but will not extend to World Cup matches. These sanctions represent a strong message from the African Football Confederation that it will not tolerate any misconduct that tarnishes the reputation of African football. At both the local and regional levels, these events are putting significant pressure on the Moroccan and Senegalese football federations to review the behavior of their players and fans, while the case continues with the trial of 18 Senegalese supporters arrested in connection with the riots.
