CAF imposes suspension on Pape Thiaw, Achraf Hakimi, Ismael Saibari following AFCON final incident.

The Confederation of African Football has imposed a five-match suspension on Senegal coach Pape Thiaw and fined him $100,000 for “unsporting conduct” after he instructed his players to exit the field during the Cup of Nations final against Morocco.

Additionally, CAF levied a fine of $615,000 against Senegal’s federation due to the team’s actions and the conduct of their supporters, while players Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr received two-match suspensions from CAF for unsporting behaviour directed at the referee.

Nevertheless, Morocco’s request to have the match result annulled, following the departure of Senegal players from the pitch which caused a 14-minute delay, was rejected by CAF’s Disciplinary Committee.

The host nation, Morocco, faced fines amounting to $315,000 due to the actions of the ball boys during the match, the conduct of their players and staff in the Video Assistant Review area, and the use of lasers by fans.

Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi (two CAF matches, one suspended for a year) and Ismael Saibari (three CAF matches) were suspended for unsporting conduct as they attempted to remove the pitch-side towel of Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy amid heavy rain in Rabat.

Coach Thiaw instructed his players to leave the pitch late in the match after a goal was disallowed, and shortly thereafter, Morocco was awarded a penalty that Brahim Diaz ultimately missed.

Senegal secured victory in the match with an extra-time goal from Pape Gueye.

The tumultuous events at the final concluded what was otherwise a successful Cup of Nations, which generated record revenues for CAF.