The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) has announced its decision to appeal the ruling by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) over the chaos that marred the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final on January 18, 2026.
The CAF Disciplinary Board sanctioned Senegal and Morocco, along with several players and officials, over incidents that occurred during the final. Senegal coach Pape Bouna Thiaw was banned for five matches and fined USD 100,000, while players Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaïla Sarr received two-match suspensions. The Senegalese FA was fined a total of USD 615,000 for supporter misconduct, unsporting behaviour, and player cautions.
On the Moroccan side, Achraf Hakimi received a two-match suspension, with one match suspended for a year, while Ismaël Saibari was handed a three-match ban and fined USD 100,000. The Moroccan FA was fined USD 315,000 for various infractions, including pitch-side misconduct and supporter violations. CAF also dismissed a protest filed by Morocco against Senegal, bringing the disciplinary process related to the final to a close.
Morocco rejects CAF ruling
The FRMF said in a statement on Tuesday that the sanctions communicated by CAF did not reflect the gravity of the violations that occurred during the final; therefore, they have decided to appeal.
“After reviewing the decisions issued by the Disciplinary Committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), which were communicated to the Royal Moroccan Football Federation concerning the events that accompanied the match held on Sunday, January 18, 2026, between the national team and its Senegalese counterpart in the Africa Cup of Nations final, and which witnessed the withdrawal of players and officials of the Senegalese team, as well as the storming of the pitch by spectators—resulting in acts of disorder and violence,” the statement read.
“And in view of the fact that the sanctions issued by the Disciplinary Committee are not proportionate to the seriousness and gravity of these events, as also emphasized in the official correspondence sent by the President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation to the President of the Confederation of African Football;
“And in its keenness to safeguard all rights guaranteed by law, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation has decided to appeal against these decisions.”
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