The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially opened disciplinary proceedings against Senegal’s national team coach, Pape Thiaw, following the controversial events during the AFCON 2025 final in Rabat.
According to multiple reports, Thiaw could face a lengthy suspension that may prevent him from leading Senegal at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.
The incident occurred in stoppage time of the final between Senegal and Morocco, when referee Jean-Jacques Ndala awarded a penalty to Morocco after a VAR review.
In protest, Thiaw instructed his players to leave the pitch and return to the locker room, causing a 17-minute delay before play resumed. Morocco’s Brahim Diaz missed the penalty, and Senegal eventually won 1–0 in extra time.
CAF issued a statement condemning the behavior: “CAF strongly condemns any inappropriate behaviour during matches, especially those targeting referees or match organizers.” The governing body emphasized that such actions violate the spirit and values of football.
CAF confirmed it is reviewing all video footage from the final and will refer the case to its disciplinary committees. Sanctions could include suspension, fines, or bans for individuals found guilty of misconduct.
Senegal’s win has been overshadowed by the walk-off and post-match criticism. FIFA President Gianni Infantino also condemned the “ugly scenes” and called for accountability.
