Morocco-Senegal: hands down an unjust and baffling verdict

Here is the text of the verdict, released in the middle of the night by CAF:

"The Confédération Africaine de Football (“CAF”) Disciplinary Board imposed sanctions on the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF), the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) and certain players and officials for the incidents during the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 Final, which violated the CAF Disciplinary Code.

"The CAF Disciplinary Board took the following decisions:

"1. On the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF), the CAF Disciplinary Board decided: 

• "To suspend Mr Pape Bouna Thiaw, Head Coach of the Senegalese National Team, for five (5) official CAF matches for his unsporting conduct in violation of the CAF Disciplinary Code principles of fair play and integrity, and for bringing the game into disrepute.
• "Mr Pape Bouna Thiaw was also fined USD 100,000.
• "To suspend Senegalese National Team player, Mr Iliman Cheikh Baroy Ndiaye, for two (2) official CAF matches, for his unsporting behaviour towards the referee.
• "To suspend Senegalese National Team player, Mr Ismaila Sarr, for two (2) official CAF matches for his unsporting behaviour towards the referee.
• "To fine the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF) USD 300,000 for the improper conduct of its supporters, which brought the game into disrepute in violation of the CAF Disciplinary Code principles of fair play and integrity.
• "To fine the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF) USD 300,000 for the unsporting conduct of their players and technical staff, in violation of the CAF Disciplinary Code principles of fair play, loyalty and integrity. The unsporting conduct of their players and technical staff also brought the game into disrepute.
• "To fine the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF) USD 15,000 for the misconduct of its National Team, due to five (5) players having received cautions.

"2. On the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF), the CAF Disciplinary Board decided :

• "To suspend Moroccan National Team player, Mr Achraf Hakimi, for two (2) official CAF matches, with one (1) match suspended for one (1) year from the date of this decision, for his unsporting behaviour.
• "To suspend Moroccan National Team player, Mr Ismaël Saibari, for three (3) official CAF matches for his unsporting behaviour.
• "Mr Ismaël Saibari was also fined USD 100,000.
• "To fine the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) USD 200,000, for the inappropriate behaviour of the stadium’s ball boys during the aforementioned match.
• "To fine the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) USD 100,000 for the improper conduct of their National Team players and technical staff, who invaded the VAR review area and obstructed the referee’s work, in violation of the principles of fair play and integrity, as stated in Articles 82 and 83 of the CAF Disciplinary Code.
• "To fine the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) USD 15,000 for the use of lasers by its supporters during the aforementioned match.

"3. On the protest that was lodged by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF)  regarding alleged violations by the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF) violations of Articles 82 and 84 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations

"The CAF Disciplinary Board rejected the protest lodged by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF)  regarding alleged violations by the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF) of Articles 82 and 84 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations, relating to the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 Final". END

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This unusual verdict is expected to spark extensive sports and legal commentary.

Morocco’s rejected request was based on Articles 82 and 84, which state that a team leaving the pitch without the referee’s authorization is automatically declared forfeit.

The seriousness of the events that unfolded during the final, involving the Senegalese Federation and team, is undeniable. These violations have been denounced in statements by CAF and FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

To our knowledge, the disciplinary jury sanctioned the two Moroccan players without hearing them, unlike those from Senegal.

This verdict withholds justice not only from Morocco, but from African football itself.

It fails to respect the principles of law, particularly the principle of proportionality: penalties must correspond to the seriousness of the alleged facts and the degree of responsibility of the perpetrator.

The sanctions against the Senegalese side are trivial given the facts. Those against Morocco are disproportionate and unfounded. It is as if the jury — under pressure or not — tried to strike a balance between the two parties.

In sports law, a sanction must reflect the nature and gravity of the offense, its impact, and the intent or negligence behind it.

A technical error warrants only a warning. An act that undermines the integrity of the competition deserves severe sanctions. None are evident here.

Pape Thiaw has been fined $100,000 for instructing his players to leave the field. Ismail Saibari faces the same sanction, despite merely throwing a goalkeeper’s towel. The verdict is riddled with contradictions, rewarding arrogance, violations of football law, manipulation, and unsporting conduct.

This verdict is a first-instance decision. Morocco has the right to appeal, and if necessary, to take the case to CAS, the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Yet one might also ask whether it is wiser to move forward — focusing on preparations for the 2026 World Cup and continuing to win international titles across categories.

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It is worth noting that Morocco was the party that lodged complaints after this Morocco-Senegal final, a match marred by excesses and violations of football law and CAN regulations.

The final was held at Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on Sunday, January 18, 2026.

As early as January 19, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation exercised its right to file complaints — and did so again on January 20. Ultimately, Morocco’s complaints were backed by a solid dossier, containing numerous pieces of evidence of the violations committed by the Senegalese team.

After an initial meeting on Sunday, January 25, at CAF headquarters in Cairo, the commission convened again on Tuesday, January 27, for hearings with members of the Senegalese team, including the Federation’s general secretary, coach Pape Thiaw, and several players.