The price of passion: Heavy sanctions tarnish Senegal’s AFCON glory

As the dust settles on the controversial 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final, the football landscape of Senegal and Morocco is under intense scrutiny.

The culmination of Africa’s premier football tournament, which concluded with Senegal’s narrow 1-0 victory over Morocco, has revealed an underbelly of chaos and controversy that could hopefully reshape both nations’ approaches to the sport.

The match, held on 18 January at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, was meant to be a thrilling climax to an exhilarating tournament. Instead, it spiralled into a dramatic confrontation that exposed the fragility of sportsmanship.

Tensions escalated when Senegal’s players contemplated leaving the field after a disputed penalty awarded to Morocco late in the match. This uproar followed Senegal’s goal moments earlier, which the referee disallowed without consulting VAR. The situation reached a critical point when Moroccan player Brahim Díaz missed the penalty, which many criticised as poorly executed. This miss allowed Senegal’s Pape Gueye to score the decisive goal during extra time.

In response to these unsporting incidents, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has taken decisive disciplinary actions. Senegal’s head coach, Pape Thiaw, has received a five-match suspension alongside a staggering fine of $100,000. The Senegal Football Federation (FSF) has collectively been penalised $615,000, including a $300,000 fine, for inappropriate behaviour by Senegalese supporters during the final.

Additionally, two Senegalese players, Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaïla Sarr, were handed two-match suspensions for their unsporting conduct towards match officials. These actions signal a tough message about the high standards expected in African football.

Morocco, too, bears the weight of scrutiny. Team captain Achraf Hakimi faces a two-match suspension — one of which will be deferred for a year — while teammate Ismaël Saibari must navigate a three-match suspension along with a $100,000 fine. The penalties are linked to additional misconduct involving towel usage during the match, indicating deeper issues within Moroccan football.

The total financial penalties against the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) amount to $315,000, which includes $200,000 for ball boys’ misconduct during the final and $100,000 for players obstructing officials near VAR review areas, a blatant violation of CAF’s disciplinary code.

In a decisive conclusion to the matter, CAF dismissed a protest from the FRMF alleging infractions by Senegal during the match. This rejection underlines the disciplinary committee’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of the game and highlights the seriousness of the infractions committed by both sides during the turbulent finale.

As Senegal celebrates its victory and Morocco grapples with the fallout, both nations must now enter a period of self-reflection to address the challenges and seize the opportunities ahead. The future of African football will undoubtedly be shaped by how these two proud nations respond to this pivotal moment in their sporting histories.