AFCON 2025: Ismael Saibari’s sanction reduced by CAF’s Appeal Board

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) Appeal Board has eased sanctions against the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) and midfielder Ismael Saibari after reviewing their appeals.

These adjustments, however, have largely been overshadowed by CAF’s highly contentious decision to strip Senegal of the 2025 AFCON title and award it to Morocco—a ruling that has sent shockwaves across African football.

Saibari, originally suspended for three matches and fined $100,000 for attempting to grab goalkeeper Edouard Mendy’s towel during the final, will now serve a two-match ban with one match suspended, and his financial penalty has been completely canceled.

The Moroccan federation has also seen some relief. A $100,000 fine related to the “inappropriate behaviour of ball boys” has been reduced to $50,000, while penalties connected to supporters using laser pointers were lowered from $15,000 to $10,000.

Not all sanctions were overturned, however. A separate $100,000 fine against Morocco was upheld after CAF found players and technical staff had breached regulations by entering the VAR review area and interfering with match officials during the final.

While these revisions may appear minor compared with the broader controversy, they add another layer to a final that continues to spark debate far beyond the stadium.