Senegal Football Federation Accepts CAF Sanctions, Forgoes Appeal
The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has confirmed it will not appeal the sporting and financial sanctions imposed by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) following the team’s conduct during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final. This decision formalises an end to the disciplinary case stemming from chaotic scenes in the tournament’s decisive match.
The sanctions relate to events during Senegal’s final against hosts Morocco in January. After a late Senegalese goal was disallowed, head coach Pape Thiaw instructed his players to leave the pitch, triggering a 14-minute stoppage. The incident disrupted the conclusion of the match and drew widespread condemnation.
CAF’s disciplinary committee responded by suspending Coach Thiaw for five matches and fining him $100,000 for “unsporting” conduct. Forwards Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr each received two-match suspensions for unsporting behaviour towards the match referee. Furthermore, the FSF was sanctioned separately with a fine for the team’s overall conduct and the behaviour of its supporters.
In a statement, the federation announced it would accept full financial responsibility for all fines levied against itself, its technical staff, and its players. While accepting the ruling, the FSF asserted it remains “committed to defending its legitimate rights and interests within continental football bodies.”
This position marks a shift from earlier in the week when the Senegalese government had indicated it would challenge the restrictions on Thiaw and the two players. The federation’s final statement clarifies that the decision not to appeal is a deliberate choice to respect CAF’s regulatory framework and “uphold the integrity of African football.”
The case underscored the tensions between national football associations and continental governing bodies over disciplinary outcomes. By accepting the penalties without an appeal, Senegal avoids a potentially protracted legal battle with CAF but acknowledges the severity of the sanctions. The suspensions will impact Coach Thiaw’s and the key forwards’ availability for future competitive fixtures, including upcoming qualifiers.
The FSF’s commitment to paying the substantial fines signals an intent to move past the incident, focusing instead on rebuilding its reputation and ensuring compliance with CAF regulations moving forward. The episode serves as a stark reminder to all participants in CAF tournaments of the strict consequences for actions that threaten match integrity and sporting decorum.
