WeeklySA_AdminHARDLINE: Patrice Motsepe has promised increased investment in refereeing standards after unacceptable incidents marred the AFCON Morocco 2025 final…
By WSAM Sports Reporter
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) president, Patrice Motsepe, has reaffirmed the organisation’s “uncompromising determination” to safeguard the integrity, reputation and global competitiveness of African football following controversial incidents at the AFCON Morocco 2025 finals.
Motsepe said he was “extremely disappointed” by the unacceptable events that overshadowed the tournament’s climax and confirmed that he respects and will fully adhere to the decisions announced by the CAF Disciplinary Board on January 28.
He revealed that he has convened a meeting of the CAF Executive Committee (EXCO) — the highest decision-making body outside the General Assembly — to review CAF regulations, including the Disciplinary Code.
The review, Motsepe said, aims to ensure that CAF’s judicial bodies are empowered to impose “appropriate and dissuasive sanctions” for serious violations that undermine the credibility and standing of CAF competitions.
He also highlighted significant progress made in recent years in improving the quality and independence of African referees, VAR operators and match commissioners. CAF, he said, will allocate additional financial and technical resources to ensure match officials meet the highest global standards.
Motsepe stressed that impartiality and professionalism are non-negotiable, adding that African match officials must be “respected and acknowledged as fair, independent and world class” to strengthen confidence in African football worldwide.
AFCON final sanctions
Yesterday, CAF issued sanctions with Thiaw, who played for several clubs in France, Switzerland and Spain, as well as Dynamo Moscow in Russia on a six-month loan from Strasbourg, being handed a five match ban, and a fine of approximately R160 000.
Through the Ministry of Sports, Senegal have now come out to state they will not abandon Thiaw following the ban, and further hinted at increasing his salary after achieving the main objective of winning the AFCON.
Senegal behind coach
“We regret these sanctions. I spoke with the president of the Senegalese Football Federation (Abdoulaye Fall), and he gave me an update on the situation,” said Khady Diene Gaye, Minister of Sports, as quoted by Wiwsport.com.
In a statement issued after deliberations by its Disciplinary Board, CAF confirmed suspensions, fines and reprimands against the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF), the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF), as well as several players and officials from both national teams.
The most severe individual sanction was handed to Senegal head coach Pape Bouna Thiaw, who was suspended for five official CAF matches for unsporting conduct that CAF said violated principles of fair play and integrity and brought the game into disrepute. Thiaw was also fined USD 100,000.
Two Senegalese players were also punished for their conduct toward match officials. Iliman Cheikh Baroy Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr were each suspended for two official CAF matches for unsporting behaviour directed at the referee.
CAF further fined the FSF a total of USD 615, 000. This included USD 300,000 for the improper conduct of Senegalese supporters, USD 300,000 for the unsporting conduct of players and technical staff, and an additional USD 15,000 after five Senegal players received cautions during the final.
Morocco fined
On the Moroccan side, CAF suspended defender Achraf Hakimi for two CAF matches, with one match suspended for a year, following unsporting behaviour.
Midfielder Ismaël Saibari received a three-match suspension and a USD 100,000 fine for his conduct during the match.
The FRMF was fined USD 200,000 for the inappropriate behaviour of ball boys, USD 100,000 after Moroccan players and technical staff invaded the VAR review area and obstructed the referee, and a further USD 15,000 for the use of laser devices by supporters inside the stadium.
CAF cited violations of Articles 82 and 83 of its Disciplinary Code, which govern respect for match officials, integrity of competition and conduct around VAR operations.
Morocco’s protest dismissed
CAF also dismissed a protest lodged by Morocco alleging that Senegal violated Articles 82 and 84 of the Africa Cup of Nations regulations during the final.
The Disciplinary Board ruled that the protest lacked sufficient grounds and upheld the original result of the match.
The sanctions bring an official close to one of the most contentious finals in recent AFCON history, with CAF reiterating its commitment to protecting referees, preserving fair play, and safeguarding the integrity of African football’s flagship tournament.
