The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has concluded its investigations into disciplinary breaches at the Africa Cup of Nations, handing down heavy suspensions and fines to Senegal and Morocco, while rejecting Morocco’s formal protest.
CAF said Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw has been suspended for five matches, applicable only to official CAF competitions, and fined $100,000. In addition, Senegal internationals Iliman Cheikh Baroy Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr received two-match bans each for unsporting conduct toward the referee.
The Senegalese Football Federation was also hit with multiple penalties. CAF imposed a $300,000 fine for crowd disturbances, another $300,000 for the conduct of players and technical staff during the match, and $15,000 for yellow cards accumulated by five players who left the stadium.
The total financial penalty on Senegal amounts to $715,000, despite the team earning $10 million in prize money for winning the tournament.
Morocco were not spared. Captain Achraf Hakimi was handed a two-match suspension, with one match suspended for a year provided there is no repeat offence. Ismaël Saibari, the PSV Eindhoven midfielder, received a three-match ban and a $100,000 fine over his involvement in an incident related to goalkeeper Edouard Mendy’s towel.
CAF further fined the Moroccan Football Federation $200,000 over the conduct of ball boys, $100,000 for players and technical staff confronting the referee in the VAR area, and $15,000 for laser pointers used by fans in the stands.
CAF confirmed it had dismissed Morocco’s protest and complaints, bringing an end to the disciplinary process following the tournament.
