The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has confirmed it will not appeal the sanctions imposed by CAF following the chaotic 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final against hosts Morocco, signalling relief in Dakar after fears of more severe punishment.
In a statement released on Saturday, the FSF said it had “taken official note of decision DC23315 rendered on January 28, 2026, by the CAF Disciplinary Jury” and had formally informed CAF of its decision not to challenge the sporting and financial penalties imposed.
The CAF ruling brings an end to a tense period of uncertainty following one of the most controversial finals in the tournament’s history, which was marred by a temporary player walk-off, pitch-side confrontations and disorder in the stands.
The federation confirmed that its decision not to appeal applies not only to the sanctions imposed on the association itself, but also to those handed down to head coach Pape Bouna Thiaw and players Ismaïla Sarr and Iliman Cheikh Baroy Ndiaye.
In accordance with Article 91.4 of the CAF Disciplinary Code, the FSF said it “assumes full financial responsibility for the fines imposed on the association, its technical staff, and its players”.
While accepting the ruling, the FSF stressed that it had not abandoned its broader principles, reaffirming its “determination to defend its legitimate rights and interests within football’s governing bodies”, while acting “in strict compliance with its statutory obligations” and in the interest of “the integrity of the game and the promotion of African football”.
The measured response reflects a sense of relief within the Senegalese camp, where there had been growing concern that the fallout from the final could lead to harsher disciplinary consequences, including points deductions, extended suspensions or challenges to the result itself.
CAF’s disciplinary action followed events during the final on 18 January in Rabat, which Senegal won 1-0 after extra time to claim their second continental title in five years.
The match descended into disorder late in normal time when Senegal’s players left the pitch in protest after Morocco were awarded a stoppage-time penalty, moments after a Senegal goal had been ruled out.
Coach Pape Thiaw, angered by the referee’s decisions, instructed his players to walk off, delaying the match by approximately 17 minutes. Senegal forward Sadio Mane remained on the field and eventually persuaded his team-mates to return so the game could continue.
Morocco’s Brahim Diaz missed the resulting penalty, which was saved by goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, before Pape Gueye scored the decisive goal in the fourth minute of extra time.
CAF later handed Thiaw a five-match ban and fined him $100,000 for “unsporting conduct” and “bringing the game into disrepute”. The sanction means he will miss five of Senegal’s six qualifiers for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
Forwards Ismaïla Sarr and Iliman Ndiaye received two-match bans for “unsporting behaviour towards the referee”, while the FSF was fined a total of $615,000, covering misconduct by players and staff, supporter disorder and accumulated bookings.
In an Instagram post following the ruling, Thiaw asked supporters not to organise fundraisers to help pay his fine, saying: “While I understand and appreciate this gesture of generosity, I invite you to redirect these funds to more urgent causes, for the benefit of those who truly need them.”
CAF also imposed sanctions on Morocco’s football federation, fining it $200,000 for the “inappropriate behaviour” of ball boys after repeated attempts to remove Mendy’s towel during the match, as well as further fines related to crowd behaviour and interference with the video assistant referee area.
A request by Morocco’s federation to have the match result overturned was dismissed by CAF’s disciplinary committee.
With its decision not to appeal, the FSF appears eager to draw a line under a turbulent episode that overshadowed Senegal’s triumph.
This allows the focus to shift back to football and future competitions without prolonging a dispute that had threatened to damage the image of the tournament and African football as a whole.
