The Confederation of African Football disciplinary commission announced on Tuesday January 27 that it will deliver its verdict within 48 hours regarding sanctions against the Senegalese Football Federation following the chaotic events that marred the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 final. The hearing, originally scheduled for Sunday January 26, was postponed by one day after Ousmane Kane, the Senegalese president of the CAF disciplinary committee, formally recused himself from the proceedings to avoid any conflict of interest. The announcement marks a critical turning point in one of the most controversial episodes in African football history.
The AFCON 2025 final between Senegal and host nation Morocco, held at the Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on January 18, descended into chaos after a highly contested VAR decision in extra time. With Senegal leading 1-0 through an Ismaila Sarr goal, referee intervention led to the disallowing of a subsequent Senegalese goal and the awarding of a penalty to Morocco for an alleged foul by Elhadj Malick Diouf on Brahim Diaz. Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw then led his players off the pitch in protest, halting play for approximately 15 minutes before the match eventually resumed and Senegal secured the title.
The CAF disciplinary commission is expected to impose a range of sanctions against the Senegalese federation. According to multiple reports from Le360.ma, Sport News Africa, and L'Equipe, the potential penalties include fines ranging from 50,000 to 100,000 euros, a suspension of four to six matches for coach Pape Thiaw for leading the walkout, and possible multi-match bans for players identified as having incited the disruption. The commission is also examining the role of pitch invaders, including supporters who entered the field during the stoppage, and security failures that allowed the situation to escalate.
Morocco's football federation filed formal complaints with both CAF and FIFA in the days following the final, demanding severe sanctions against Senegal for what it described as an unprecedented breach of sporting discipline. The Royal Moroccan Football Federation argued that the walkout set a dangerous precedent for African football and called for exemplary punishment. FIFA subsequently confirmed that any sanctions imposed by CAF would remain at the continental level and would not affect Senegal's participation in FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying, a significant relief for the Senegalese camp.
The Senegalese Football Federation, led by president Abdoulaye Fall, has mounted a vigorous defense ahead of the hearing. The FSF submitted a detailed dossier to the commission arguing that the VAR decision was fundamentally flawed and that the referee's handling of the situation provoked the crisis. Fall publicly accused Morocco and certain CAF officials of attempting to influence the proceedings, allegations that CAF firmly denied. The FSF legal team also argued that the recusal of Ousmane Kane, while necessary for impartiality, demonstrated the politically charged nature of the case.
Legal experts consulted by several media outlets, including RTBF and La Gazette du Fennec, suggested that the sanctions are likely to be significant but proportionate. The commission must balance punishing the breach of discipline with acknowledging the extenuating circumstances of a controversial refereeing decision that triggered the walkout. Precedents in CAF disciplinary cases suggest fines and coaching bans are virtually certain, while broader sanctions against the federation such as exclusion from future tournaments remain unlikely given the political ramifications.
The FSF has already indicated that it intends to appeal any adverse ruling to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne. With the 48-hour deadline set from Tuesday, the verdict is expected no later than Thursday January 29. The outcome will have far-reaching implications not only for Senegalese football but for the governance of the sport across the African continent, as federations, players, and officials closely watch how CAF handles this defining moment in its disciplinary history.
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