CAF Suspends Senegal Coach Pape Thiaw Over AFCON 2025 Final Incident
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially suspended Senegal head coach, Pape Thiaw, following dramatic and chaotic scenes during the AFCON 2025 final against host nation Morocco.
The decision comes after Thiaw ordered his players to walk off the pitch in protest over a controversial late penalty decision awarded to Morocco, an action CAF says violated competition rules and brought African football into disrepute.
What Happened in the AFCON 2025 Final?
The incident occurred late in the final when the referee awarded Morocco a penalty that Senegal’s technical bench strongly disputed. In protest, Pape Thiaw instructed his players to abandon the pitch, leading to a lengthy stoppage and tense scenes inside the stadium.
Although play eventually resumed and Senegal went on to win the final 1–0 after extra time, CAF ruled that the coach’s actions crossed a disciplinary line.
CAF’s Decision and Disciplinary Action
In a statement released on Monday, CAF confirmed that:
Pape Thiaw has been suspended from all CAF competitions
The duration of the suspension is yet to be announced
A full disciplinary ruling will be released in the coming days
CAF noted that while emotions run high in major finals, ordering players off the pitch undermines the integrity of the game and sets a dangerous precedent.
FIFA Reacts: “Unacceptable”
FIFA President Gianni Infantino also reacted to the incident, describing the coach’s conduct as “unacceptable”, especially on such a major continental stage.
According to sources, FIFA is monitoring the situation closely due to its potential implications for future international competitions.
Impact on Senegal’s 2026 World Cup Campaign
The suspension could have serious consequences for Senegal’s preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, especially if the ban extends into upcoming qualifiers or CAF tournaments.
With the ban length still unknown, Senegal’s football federation may be forced to appoint an interim technical team while awaiting CAF’s final verdict.
CAF is expected to release the full disciplinary report detailing the length and conditions of the suspension.
Story still developing…
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