The Confederation of African Football (CAF) could impose severe disciplinary sanctions on Senegal following chaotic scenes that overshadowed their Africa Cup of Nations final victory against Morocco in Rabat, according to a Moroccan legal expert.
The 2025 AFCON final, played at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, ended in confusion after Senegalese players left the pitch in protest at refereeing decisions during extra time, while supporters later invaded the field.
Senegal went on to secure a 1-0 win after extra time, but the manner of the conclusion has raised significant legal and regulatory questions.
Speaking to Le360 Sport, Mourad El Additioni, a lawyer and president of the Lawyers’ Club in Morocco, outlined the potential consequences under CAF’s disciplinary framework, describing the withdrawal of players as the most serious issue arising from the final.
The controversy centred on the referee’s decision to disallow a goal by Ismaïla Sarr and subsequently award a penalty to Morocco. In response, players under coach Pape Thiaw walked off the pitch, bringing the match to a standstill and plunging the stadium into disorder.
According to Mr El Additioni, such action is clearly addressed in CAF regulations. He said:
“Voluntary withdrawal qualifies as abandonment of a match under Article 148.1 of the CDC and is strictly prohibited by Article 82 et seq.
of the AFCON Regulations, which provides that a team leaving the field before the regulation end without the order of the referee is declared a loser.
This offence is absolute because, according to Article 6 of the CCC, the referee is the sole judge of the safety and the course of the game, making any unilateral withdrawal unlawful regardless of the team’s justifications”.
He warned that the penalties linked to abandonment are extensive and could include sporting, financial and administrative sanctions.
“Sanctions for abandonment include defeat by forfeit (3-0), elimination from the competition, a minimum fine of 20,000 dollars, and article 80 of the AFCON Regulations even authorizes the suspension of the national association for the next two editions of the Africa Cup of Nations”.
Mr El Additioni added that such conduct could also result in “a loss of the title”.
He pointed out that CAF has previously taken a hard line in comparable cases, saying:
“CAF has already sanctioned similar situations by eliminating the offending team, reinforcing the principle that indiscipline and abandonment are the only legal causes of defeat”.
While some observers have called for a replay, Mr El Additioni dismissed that possibility under current rules.
“CAF can only order a replay of a match in the event of proven force majeure or major technical fault by the referee”.
Disorder was not limited to the pitch. Senegalese supporters later breached security and entered the field of play, causing damage inside the recently renovated stadium. Some fans were arrested, while others escaped, adding to the unrest witnessed by players, officials and television audiences.
On that issue, Mr El Additioni cited CAF’s strict liability rules.
“The invasion of the pitch is governed by Article 83.1 of the CAF Disciplinary Code, which establishes the principle of the objective liability of associations for the behavior of their supporters.
Under section 151.2 of the CDC, the invasion of the field constitutes a major violation of safety obligations, and section 153 provides for graduated sanctions, including fines of up to $300,000, or even disqualification from the competition.”
He also addressed speculation about FIFA’s involvement, stressing that responsibility lies primarily with CAF.
“FIFA’s intervention is subsidiary. CAF is sovereign in the application of its disciplinary regulations, except to extend certain sanctions at the global level or in the event of serious misconduct.”
