By Paul Joseph
Senegal’s head coach Pape Thiaw has been suspended for five matches following the chaotic events during the Africa Cup of Nations final against Morocco earlier this month.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) fined Thiaw $100,000 (£72,000), citing “unsporting conduct” and “bringing the game into disrepute.”
The final, held in Rabat, which Senegal won 1-0, turned chaotic when Senegal’s players left the field after Morocco was awarded a penalty in stoppage time.
Thiaw, still upset over the referee’s decision to disallow Ismaila Sarr’s goal for a foul on Morocco’s captain Achraf Hakimi just moments before, directed his players to exit the pitch.
The match was paused for approximately 17 minutes until Senegal’s captain Sadio Mane persuaded his teammates to return to play.
Brahim Diaz’s ‘Panenka’ penalty was saved by Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, and the referee Jean-Jacques Ndala then blew the whistle for full-time.
Pape Gueye scored the decisive goal in the fourth minute of extra time, securing Senegal’s second Afcon title in five years.
Additionally, Senegal forward Iliman Ndiaye and midfielder Sarr received two-match suspensions for “unsporting behavior towards the referee,” while the Senegal Football Federation was fined $615,000 (£444,000).
Morocco’s forward Ismael Saibari received a three-match suspension and a $100,000 (£72,000) fine, while defender Hakimi was given a two-match ban.
The suspensions for Thiaw and the four players apply only to CAF matches and will not affect their preparations for the 2026 World Cup in the US, Canada, and Mexico.
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