In the wake of the AFCON final’s tumultuous events, a range of sanctions has been imposed, including staggering fines totaling nearly £1 million. These penalties are directed at those involved in the chaos that ensued.
The thrilling showdown between Senegal and host nation Morocco ended in Senegal’s spectacular victory, but the match will be remembered for its violence, controversy, and dramatic twists – a memorable clash etched in history.
Reporting from the scene, Lewis Steele of Daily Mail Sport shared his firsthand account of the pandemonium that unfolded.
Senegal’s head coach, Pape Thiaw, faces a five-match suspension and a £72,000 fine. His punishment follows an incident where he directed his team to walk off the field in protest after a contentious extra-time penalty was awarded to Morocco, shortly after his own team was denied a penalty.
Furthermore, the Senegalese Football Association has been slapped with a hefty £445,000 fine. This penalty stems from the team’s conduct and the unruly behavior of some fans who clashed with security forces at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
Senegal fans clashed with riot police as the match paused for a staggering 17 minutes and punishments have now been dished out by CAF
Tempers boiled over on the pitch and in the stands in the AFCON final earlier this month
The stadium witnessed chaos as hundreds of riot police struggled to contain the irate Senegalese supporters, while tensions ran high with players nearly coming to blows on the sidelines.
Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye and Crystal Palace’s Ismaïla Sarr were singled out for the victors and given two-match bans.
But it wasn’t just the champions who were hit with punishments by CAF.
Morocco were fined £228,000 for the behaviour of their ball boys, who extraordinarily tried to swipe the opposition back-up goalkeeper’s towel repeatedly and aggressively.
That fine was also for the behaviour of their players and coaching staff in the VAR area and fans using laser pens in the stands to try and put off Senegal players.
Morocco’s bid to have the eventual result overturned after Senegal’s walkout caused a 17-minute delay in the match was rejected.
Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi has been banned for two matches, with one of those suspended for a year, while Ismael Saibari received a three-match ban and £72,000 fine.
Both of those players tried to take away the pitch-side towel of Senegal keeper Edouard Mendy in a similarly unsportsmanlike conduct to the ball boys in the rain of Rabat.
It had looked as though Morocco would triumph on home soil when they were given a penalty late on, with Senegal eventually persuaded to come back on the pitch and accept the decision.
Morocco have been fined for the behaviour of their ball boys, who tried to take the towel from the Senegal back-up goalkeeper in ugly scenes in the rain
There were angry clashes between the riot police in the stadium in Rabat
But Brahim Diaz’s panenka was easily saved when Mendy stayed in the middle of the goal to keep the scores at 0-0.
Pape Gueye then scored in extra-time with a brilliant strike and his goal proved decisive in giving Senegal a second successive AFCON title.
The chaos continued post-match with Senegal boss Thiaw forced to abandon his press conference amid boos from Moroccan journalists, with some clashing with their counterparts from Senegal.
It was a wild end to the tournament and left CAF picking up the pieces.
After the game FIFA president Gianni Infantino released a statement, where he condemned the ‘ugly scenes’ around the final and urged disciplinary action be taken against Senegal.
‘Unfortunately, we witnessed unacceptable scenes on the field and in the stands – we strongly condemn the behaviour of some “supporters” as well as some Senegalese players and technical staff members,’ Infantino said.
‘It is unacceptable to leave the field of play in this manner, and equally, violence cannot be tolerated in our sport, it is simply not right.
‘We must always respect the decisions taken by the match officials on and off the field of play. Teams must compete on the pitch and within the Laws of the Game, because anything less puts the very essence of football at risk. The ugly scenes witnessed today must be condemned and never repeated.
‘I reiterated that they have no place in football and I expect that the relevant disciplinary bodies at CAF will take the appropriate measures.’
Those measures have now been taken and both sides are left counting the costs.
