Senegal faces the threat of heavy sanctions following the AFCON 2025 final
African football could be heading into a period of serious turbulence. Just days after the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 final, played on 18 January in Morocco, Senegal, despite being crowned champions, now finds itself under the scrutiny of continental and international disciplinary bodies due to incidents deemed extremely serious that occurred at the end of the match against Morocco.
At the heart of the controversy is the behaviour of Senegalese players and head coach Pape Thiaw after the penalty awarded to Morocco in stoppage time. Acting on instructions from the technical staff, a majority of the players reportedly left the pitch and withdrew to the dressing rooms for more than fifteen minutes, in protest against the refereeing decision. The scene was rare, chaotic and in clear violation of CAF regulations.
Although Senegal eventually returned to the field and went on to lift the trophy, the episode may not go without consequences. According to several converging sources, major disciplinary sanctions are currently being considered, both at a collective and individual level.
Information relayed by specialised media outlets points to the possibility of severe sporting sanctions, including a potential exclusion of Senegal from the 2027 AFCON, or measures affecting its participation in upcoming international competitions. These scenarios remain to be confirmed, as certain FIFA regulatory provisions do not allow for sanctions to be applied across different competitions.
However, disciplinary action within CAF appears more plausible. The regulations are explicit regarding the temporary abandonment of the pitch without the referee’s authorization, an act considered equivalent to a refusal to play. In this context, a suspension of the Senegal national team from a future continental competition could be envisaged, along with substantial financial fines.
On an individual level, head coach Pape Thiaw is reportedly particularly exposed. His role in the decision to leave the pitch could result in a suspension from the bench, possibly extending to the 2026 World Cup, a scenario with serious implications as Senegal is set to face top-level opponents from the group stage. Several players involved could also face suspensions or financial penalties.
At this stage, the withdrawal of the AFCON 2025 title or the replay of the final is not being considered, according to the same sources. Nevertheless, the case remains sensitive and is being closely monitored by global football authorities, starting with FIFA, whose president Gianni Infantino is said to have expressed irritation over behaviour deemed incompatible with the spirit of elite-level sport.
Senegal, victorious on the pitch, could therefore be confronted with a highly uncertain aftermath. Should the prospect of exclusion from AFCON 2027 be confirmed, an entire nation could end up paying the price for a moment of rupture in which protest took precedence over respect for the rules of the game.
Translated from Abderrazzak Boussaid’s French article – le7tv
