The euphoria of Senegal’s AFCON 2025 triumph has been met with a sobering disciplinary crackdown. In a move that sends a tremors through the continent’s footballing landscape, the CAF Disciplinary Board has officially sanctioned head coach Pape Bouna Thiaw following the high-stakes chaos that marred the final against Morocco.
While the Lions of Teranga may have secured the trophy, the cost of their defiance at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium has proven staggering. Thiaw has been hit with a five-match touchline ban and a heavy USD 100,000 fine after orchestrating a dramatic player walkout in the heat of the final.
The incident, which saw Thiaw instructing his squad to abandon the pitch in protest of a controversial VAR-awarded penalty for the Atlas Lions, was labeled by CAF as a grave breach of professional ethics.
The Verdict: “Unsporting Conduct”
The CAF Disciplinary Board was uncompromising in its ruling, citing several key violations:
Breach of Integrity: The board ruled that leading a walk-off in a flagship final brought the African game into international disrepute.
Fair Play Violations: The act was deemed a direct assault on the principles of sportsmanship.
Systemic Misconduct: Beyond the coach, the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) was slapped with an additional USD 15,000 fine due to five players receiving cautions during the ill-tempered clash.
Collateral Damage: Player Sanctions
Thiaw is not the only figure facing the wilderness. The fallout extends to the pitch, with two key Senegalese stars also receiving individual bans. Their sanctions stem from “aggressive behavior” directed toward match officials during the peak of the tension in Rabat.
“The integrity of the competition is paramount. Actions that undermine the authority of officials or the flow of the game cannot be overlooked, regardless of the stakes.” — CAF Disciplinary Statement excerpt.
The timing of the suspension presents a significant tactical hurdle for the reigning champions. Thiaw will be barred from the touchline for the majority of Senegal’s upcoming CAF assignments, leaving the “Kings of Africa” to navigate their title defense and upcoming qualifiers without their primary strategist in the dugout.
The Lions of Teranga have reached the summit of African football, but they now face a grueling period of internal restructuring to manage the absence of their leadership.
