Morocco have confirmed they will appeal disciplinary sanctions imposed by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) following last month’s controversial Africa Cup of Nations final against Senegal.
The hosts were beaten 1–0 after extra time in the Morocco 2025 final in Rabat, a match marred by crowd trouble, confrontations involving players and officials, and a lengthy stoppage late in normal time.
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) said the penalties handed down by CAF were “disproportionate” to the incidents that occurred during the game and insisted it would pursue all available legal avenues.
The final was halted for 14 minutes after Senegalese players walked off the pitch in protest at a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) decision to disallow a late goal. The delay was followed by a pitch invasion by Senegal supporters and further altercations involving players and staff from both teams.
CAF’s Disciplinary Committee banned Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw for five matches and fined him $100,000 (£82,000) for instructing his players to leave the field. Senegal’s football federation was also fined $615,000 (£508,000) for the conduct of their players and supporters.
Senegal players Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr were each handed two-match bans for what CAF described as unsporting behaviour towards match officials.
Morocco were fined a total of $315,000 (£260,000), with CAF citing misconduct by players, officials and supporters, including the use of laser pointers and interference around the VAR area.
Captain Achraf Hakimi received a two-match suspension, with one match suspended for a year, while Ismael Saibari was banned for three games. Both were sanctioned for attempting to remove Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy’s towel during heavy rain.
CAF had earlier rejected Morocco’s request for the match result to be overturned.
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In a statement, the FRMF said its appeal would focus on “the withdrawal of Senegalese players and the conduct of their supporters” during the final, adding that it was acting to protect its legal rights.
Despite the controversy, CAF said the tournament had been a commercial success, pointing to record revenues.
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However, the governing body confirmed the sanctions would apply across its competitions, bringing a sour end to what Morocco had hoped would be a landmark tournament on home soil.
