Senegal and Morocco Fined and Banned After Chaotic AFCON Final Ends in Controversy

Post by : Saif Nasser

The Confederation of African Football has handed down strict punishments to Senegal and Morocco after a controversial Africa Cup of Nations final that was overshadowed by disorder, protests, and poor sportsmanship. What should have been a proud moment for African football instead turned into a troubling example of how quickly discipline can break down at the highest level.

The final match, played in January, ended with Senegal winning by a narrow margin. However, the result was almost forgotten as chaos erupted during the game. Tensions rose sharply after a late penalty decision went against Senegal. In protest, members of the Senegal team briefly left the field, causing a long delay and confusing spectators and officials alike.

Such actions violated the basic rules of football, which require respect for referees and the continuity of play. After reviewing the incident, CAF concluded that the behaviour of players, coaches, and officials from both sides damaged the image of the tournament and African football as a whole.

As a result, Senegal’s head coach received a multi-match ban and a heavy fine for encouraging unsporting conduct. Several Senegal players were also suspended for their behaviour toward match officials. The Senegalese football federation was fined a large amount for team misconduct and crowd-related issues.

Morocco was not spared either. Some of its players were suspended for their actions after the match, while the Moroccan football federation faced financial penalties for disruptions around the officials’ area and poor control of fan behaviour inside the stadium.

CAF also reviewed Morocco’s formal protest against the match result but rejected it, confirming Senegal as the tournament champion. The football body made it clear that emotional reactions, no matter how intense the pressure, cannot justify breaking rules or disrupting the game.

These punishments apply only to CAF competitions and will not affect either team’s participation in global tournaments. Still, the message from CAF is firm: discipline and respect must come before passion, especially on the biggest stage.

The AFCON final should unite fans, players, and nations in celebration. Instead, this incident serves as a warning. African football continues to grow in talent and global respect, but maintaining order, fairness, and integrity is just as important as winning trophies.