The head coach of the Terenga Lions of Senegal, Pape Thiaw has been slapped with heavy sanctions by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for his conduct in the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Rabat.

Pape Thiaw has been suspended for 5 matches and fined $100,000 by CAF for unsporting conduct during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on January 18, 2026.

The CAF Disciplinary Board ruled that Thiaw violated the principles of fair play and integrity after he asked his players to walk off the pitch after the referee awarded a penalty to Morocco in the final minutes of the game in Rabat.

The sanctions were part of a sweeping set of disciplinary measures announced by CAF following incidents that marred the AFCON final between Senegal and hosts Morocco.

About the Game

Ismaila Sarr’s goal was disallowed after the referee ruled that there had been a foul on Achraf Hakimi prior to the cross that led to the goal.

In a dramatic turn of events, the host nation was awarded a penalty in the dying minutes of added time when Brahim Díaz was brought down in the box by a Senegalese defender.

Despite the controversy, Díaz missed the penalty, as his Panenka attempt was easily saved by Édouard Mendy, sending the game into extra time.

In the early stages of the first half of extra time, Pape Gueye struck a powerful shot into the top corner from the edge of the box to secure a 1–0 victory.

JE