Senegal national team coach Pape Thiaw was suspended for five games and fined US$100,000 (R$518,000) for “unsportsmanlike conduct” after ordering his team to leave the field during the African Cup of Nations final against Morocco.
The CAF (African Football Confederation) also fined the Senegalese federation US$615,000 (R$3.1 million) due to the team’s conduct and the behavior of its fans in the match played on January 19.
Furthermore, Senegalese players Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr were suspended for two matches in competitions organized by CAF for unprofessional behavior towards the referee.
The suspensions are only valid for official games of the African confederation and do not apply to the next World Cup, scheduled for June.
On the Moroccan side, captain Achraf Hakimi received a two-game suspension for “unsportsmanlike behavior” during the final. His teammate, Ismael Saibari, was punished with a three-game suspension in CAF tournaments and fined US$100,000 (R$518,000).
The Moroccan football federation was also fined a total of US$315,000 (R$1.6 million) for the behavior of players, members of the coaching staff and fans, who used lasers to try to distract opponents. The punishment also included the conduct of ball boys, caught removing the Senegalese goalkeeper’s towel during the match.
The CAF Disciplinary Committee rejected Morocco’s request for the result of the final to be annulled after the Senegal players left the field.
The Senegalese team won 1-0, with a goal from Pape Gueye in extra time. The decisive move occurred after a series of controversial episodes at the end of regulation time, which culminated in the interruption of the match.
The confusion began when a Senegal goal was disallowed in stoppage time due to a foul in the previous play. Morocco then had a penalty awarded in their favor after a VAR review, for a foul committed by El Hadji Malick Diouf inside the area.
In protest, the majority of Senegalese players left the field, causing a stoppage of more than 15 minutes. At half-time, Senegal fans tried to invade the pitch, and fights were reported in the stands.
After the teams returned, the penalty taken by Brahim Diaz was saved by goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.
