Lomé, January 20, 2026 – (©AfreePress) – The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced the opening of disciplinary proceedings against Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw following the turbulent scenes that marred the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final between Senegal and Morocco, played on Sunday in Rabat.
During the tense encounter, which Senegal won 1–0 after extra time, the Lions of Teranga briefly walked off the pitch in protest against the award of a highly controversial penalty in favor of Morocco, triggering several minutes of confusion before play eventually resumed.
According to multiple sources, CAF has accused the Senegalese coach of inciting his players to leave the field, an act deemed to be in breach of the tournament’s disciplinary regulations and the core principles of fair play.
African football authorities are reportedly considering severe sanctions, including an open-ended suspension of the national team coach, as well as financial penalties of up to USD 300,000 against the Senegalese Football Federation. Should the suspension be prolonged, it could also jeopardize Pape Thiaw’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with Senegal.
CAF has strongly condemned what it described as unacceptable conduct during the final, stressing the absolute necessity of respecting refereeing decisions and the rules of the game under all circumstances.
This development comes as FIFA has also denounced the chaotic scenes witnessed during the final, calling for appropriate measures to safeguard the integrity of African football.
The case is expected to draw close attention from the sporting community, both across the continent and internationally, as debates over discipline, ethics and governance in African football intensify following one of the most controversial AFCON finals in recent history.
Olivier A.
