Morocco to appeal CAF sanctions after AFCON final chaos

Morocco’s football federation has confirmed it will appeal disciplinary sanctions imposed by the Confederation of African Football after the Africa Cup of Nations final against Senegal was disrupted by a series of incidents in Rabat last month. CAF’s Disciplinary Board announced the sanctions on 28 January, covering both federations and a number of players and officials, following what CAF described as incidents during the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 final. The Royal Moroccan Football Federation said it would challenge the rulings, arguing the punishments did not reflect the seriousness of what happened in the match, which included Senegal’s players leaving the pitch for a prolonged period and crowd disorder.Reuters reported the federation statement described the sanctions as disproportionate and confirmed an appeal would be filed to protect its rights. Under CAF’s decision, Senegal head coach Pape Bouna Thiaw was suspended for five official CAF matches and fined US$100,000 for unsporting conduct, with CAF stating the conduct breached principles of fair play and integrity and brought the game into disrepute. Two Senegal players, Iliman Cheikh Baroy Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr, were each suspended for two official CAF matches for unsporting behaviour towards the referee.CAF also fined the Senegal FA US$300,000 for the improper conduct of supporters, US$300,000 for unsporting conduct by players and technical staff, and US$15,000 for team misconduct linked to cautions. Morocco were also sanctioned. CAF suspended Achraf Hakimi for two official CAF matches, with one match suspended for one year, and suspended Ismaël Saibari for three official CAF matches, with Saibari also fined US$100,000.CAF fined the Moroccan federation US$200,000 over what it described as inappropriate behaviour by ball boys, US$100,000 for the conduct of players and technical staff who “invaded the VAR review area and obstructed the referee’s work”, and US$15,000 for the use of lasers by supporters. CAF also rejected a protest lodged by Morocco relating to alleged breaches by Senegal under Africa Cup of Nations regulations, confirming the complaint was dismissed by the Disciplinary Board. Morocco’s appeal process has not yet been set out publicly by CAF, but the federation’s position raises the prospect of the case moving through CAF’s internal appeals structures and, potentially, to external arbitration depending on the route taken and the outcome.