SENEGAL MANAGER BANNED FOR 5 MATCHES AFTER AFCON DRAMA

Senegal manager Pape Thiaw has been banned for five games after the dramatic scenes during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final against Morocco this month.

Thiaw was found guilty of "unsporting conduct" and "bringing the game into disrepute" by the Confederation of African Football (Caf), who fined him $100,000 (£72,000).

It was one of several fines that were imposed after the game, totalling over £1 million. After Morocco was given a stoppage-time penalty, Senegal's players deserted the pitch, causing chaos in the final on 18 January in Rabat, which Senegal went on to win 1-0.

Thiaw told his team to leave the pitch because he was still furious with the referee for calling a foul on Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi just before Ismaila Sarr entered. Before Senegal forward Sadio Mane persuaded his teammates to resume play, the game was postponed by almost 17 minutes.

Referee Jean-Jacques Ndala instantly blew the whistle for full-time after Senegal custodian Edouard Mendy saved Brahim Diaz's Panenka penalty. Pape Gueye scored the winning goal in the fourth minute of extra time to earn a second Afcon championship in five years for Senegal.

For "unsporting behaviour towards the referee," Senegal strikers Iliman Ndiaye and Sarr were banned from two games, and the Senegal Football Federation (FSF) was fined a total of $615,000 (£444,000).

Ismael Saibari, a forward from Morocco, received a three-match suspension and a fine of $100,000 (£72,000), while Hakimi, a defender, received a two-match suspension and a 12-month suspension.

Caf's disciplinary committee rejected an attempt by Morocco's football federation (FRMF) to have the game's outcome reversed after Senegalese players departed the field.

The sanctions for Thiaw and the four players relate to Caf matches only and will not affect training for the World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico.