Morocco Wins Appeal Over AFCON 2025 Final Incidents, CAF To Review Sanctions

Morocco Wins Appeal Over AFCON 2025 Final Incidents, CAF To Review Sanctions

By Niyi Busari 

The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) has won its appeal over disciplinary sanctions linked to incidents during the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, paving the way for the case to be reopened and re-examined by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), BSNSports.co.ng reports.

The tournament final between Morocco and Senegal, played on January 18 at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, was marred by controversy following a late penalty decision that briefly halted the match.

CAF confirmed on January 29 a series of sanctions related to the incident. However, the disciplinary measures sparked debate, with critics describing them as relatively lenient toward Senegal while overly severe toward Morocco.

Following the acceptance of Morocco’s appeal, the case will now return to CAF’s Disciplinary Committee for a fresh review. All parties involved are expected to appear at a new hearing, where additional evidence could be presented and the outcome potentially revised.

The dispute largely centres on the events late in the match when the Senegal national football team, known as the Lions of Teranga, temporarily left the pitch after referee Jean‑Jacques Ndala awarded a penalty to Morocco. Senegal coach Pape Bouna Thiaw had instructed his players to leave the field in protest, resulting in around 16 minutes of disruption.

As part of the initial disciplinary measures, Thiaw was handed a five-match suspension from CAF competitions and fined $100,000. Senegalese players Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaïla Sarr each received two-match bans for unsporting conduct toward the referee.

The Senegalese Football Federation was also fined a combined $615,000, largely related to the conduct of supporters and members of the technical staff.

Moroccan players were also sanctioned. Achraf Hakimi received a two-match suspension, including one suspended match, for unsporting behaviour, while Ismaël Saibari was handed a three-match ban and a $100,000 fine.

In addition, the FRMF was fined $200,000 over the conduct of ball boys, $100,000 for the intrusion of players and staff into the VAR area, and $15,000 following reports of laser pointers used by some supporters.

Despite the disruption, the match resumed and Senegal eventually secured victory, with Pape Gueye scoring the decisive goal late in the game. Morocco’s penalty, taken by Brahim Díaz, had earlier been missed.

CAF’s decision to reopen the case now raises the possibility that the original sanctions could be revised following the new disciplinary hearing.