RABAT, MOROCCO — The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations will be remembered as much for its drama off the pitch as on it. When Senegal lifted the trophy in Rabat after a hard‑fought 1–0 extra‑time victory against hosts Morocco, what should have been a triumphant finale instead ignited one of the most extensive disciplinary investigations in the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) history. The outcomes — massive fines, lengthy bans for coaches and players, and post‑match protests rejected — exposed deeper tensions in African football governance.
Senegal: Champions under scrutiny
Senegal’s celebrations were overshadowed by significant disciplinary action. The Teranga Lions’ emotional reactions to late match developments, including a walk‑off protest over a late penalty decision, drew heavy sanctions.
Head coach Pape Bouna Thiaw was suspended for five official CAF matches for unsporting conduct and fined US $100,000 for behaviour deemed to bring the game into disrepute. Two of Senegal’s most prominent players, Iliman Cheikh Baroy Ndiaye and Ismaïla Sarr, were each suspended for two CAF matches for unsporting behaviour towards the referee.
At federation level, the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF) was fined a total of US $615,000. This included $300,000 for improper conduct by supporters, $300,000 for players and technical staff misconduct, and $15,000 tied to disciplinary breaches such as the accumulation of cautions during the match.
Senegal’s sanctions explicitly rejected Morocco’s appeal to overturn the victory on the grounds of the walk‑off, affirming the Teranga Lions as the rightful champions.
Morocco: Host nation fined and suspended
Morocco’s disciplinary record drew intense scrutiny, with CAF citing several breaches during and after the final.
Captain Achraf Hakimi was handed a two‑match suspension, one of which was conditionally suspended for a year, for unsporting behaviour during and after the match. Midfielder Ismaël Saibari received a three‑match ban and was fined US $100,000 for his conduct.
The Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) was fined US $315,000: $200,000 for inappropriate behaviour by stadium ball boys, $100,000 for players and staff entering the VAR review area and obstructing work, and $15,000 for supporters’ use of laser pointers in the stadium.
Morocco’s appeal to overturn Senegal’s win was rejected, confirming the final result and closing the disciplinary chapter of the match.
Algeria: Sanctions beyond the final
Disciplinary challenges were not limited to the final. In the quarter‑final match between Algeria and Nigeria, CAF intervened after post‑match tensions and unsporting behaviour.
Goalkeeper Luca Zidane was suspended for two CAF matches for misconduct towards officials, while defender Rafik Belghali received a four‑match ban, with two matches suspended on probation.
The Algerian Football Federation (FAF) was fined US $100,000 for a catalogue of offences, including improper conduct by players and officials, fan misconduct involving smoke devices and objects thrown, and other breaches of disciplinary and security codes.
These sanctions highlighted CAF’s scrutiny across the tournament, not only at its apex, addressing off‑ball confrontations and crowd disturbances.
Cameroon: Samuel Eto’o sanctioned
CAF also disciplined figures beyond players and coaches. Samuel Eto’o Fils, president of the Cameroonian Football Federation (FECAFOOT), was given a four‑match stadium ban and a US $20,000 fine for misconduct during Cameroon’s quarter‑final match with Morocco. Eto’o’s gestures and behaviour toward match officials were deemed a breach of sportsmanship principles.
This sanction showed that CAF was prepared to enforce measures even against high-profile figures, underlining its focus on maintaining conduct standards across events.
Patterns of misconduct and CAF’s accountability
Across AFCON 2025, recurring issues included:
- Unsporting protests and confrontations with match officials by players and coaches.
- Fan interference, including lasers and physical disruption.
- Technical area invasions by players or staff into sensitive operational zones like the VAR review area.
- Administrative breaches, including security lapses enabling unsafe fan conduct.
CAF’s disciplinary actions sought to uphold respect for match officials and adherence to the principles of fair play, loyalty and integrity. Some suspensions were conditional, balancing punitive action with the opportunity for teams and players to demonstrate improved behaviour in future competitions.
Impact on teams and reputations
The consequences of AFCON 2025 sanctions extend beyond fines and bans. Senegal faces potential tactical disruption due to suspended players and the head coach’s temporary absence. Morocco must adjust plans with star players like Hakimi and Saibari affected. Algeria’s suspensions for Zidane and Belghali will influence defensive strategies in future CAF competitions. Cameroon’s administrative sanctions underscore governance challenges in African football.
Rejection of Morocco’s protest and implications
CAF’s rejection of Morocco’s appeal to overturn Senegal’s victory highlighted ongoing debates over competition regulations. The decision clarified that a brief walk‑off does not automatically nullify a match if play resumes and concludes, drawing a clear line between protest and actions that justify overturning results.
CAF’s disciplinary future and African football’s challenge
AFCON 2025 has prompted introspection across African football circles. While CAF’s actions addressed specific incidents, the tournament exposed governance challenges including inconsistent enforcement, delayed communication of sanctions, and concerns about match officiating and crowd management.
CAF reiterated that sanctions apply only within its own competitions and do not affect global fixtures such as the FIFA World Cup. Yet the reputational and competitive impact on players, coaches and federations will be felt in future tournaments.
Passion and accountability
As stadiums in Morocco fall silent, AFCON 2025 leaves a complex legacy. Senegal celebrated a second continental title, Morocco coped with sanctions, and CAF’s interventions revealed the tensions between vibrant football culture and regulatory oversight.
By naming individual players, coaches, and federations — from Thiaw, Sarr, and Ndiaye to Hakimi, Saibari, Zidane, Belghali, Eto’o and the FSF and FRMF — CAF has sent a clear message: passion without discipline carries heavy costs. The challenge for African football remains balancing fan enthusiasm and competitive intensity with respect for rules, officials, and the integrity of the game.
AFCON 2025 demonstrated the heights of talent and the pressures of global attention, but also the ongoing struggle to govern football across a continent where emotion runs as high as ambition. The lessons from Morocco will shape African football for years to come.
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