Gamers from each side conflict after a controversial penalty was awarded to Morocco late on through the Africa Cup of Nations closing soccer match between Senegal and Morocco in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026.
Youssef Loulidi/AP
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Youssef Loulidi/AP
CAPE TOWN, South Africa — Africa’s soccer physique issued fines value greater than $1 million and banned Senegal’s coach and Senegalese and Morocco gamers Wednesday following a shambolic African Cup soccer closing this month that concerned a walk-off protest by one of many groups, followers making an attempt to storm the sphere and fights amongst journalists.
The bans solely apply to African video games and never the World Cup kicking off in June that Senegal and Morocco have each certified for.
The sanctions introduced by the Confederation of African Soccer included fines totaling $615,000 for the Senegalese soccer federation and $315,000 for the Morocco federation for unsporting and improper conduct by their gamers, teaching workers and supporters, amongst different offenses.
The Jan. 18 African soccer showpiece was marred by Senegal gamers strolling off led by coach Pape Thiaw in protest towards a penalty awarded late in regulation time to host Morocco. Thiaw was banned for 5 African video games and given a person nice of $100,000 for bringing the sport into disrepute, the African confederation stated.
The sport restarted after a delay of round quarter-hour, Morocco missed the penalty, and Senegal gained the African title 1-0 after further time.
The heated closing in Rabat additionally noticed supporters making an attempt to storm the sphere, Morocco and Senegal gamers scuffling on the sidelines, reporters from the 2 international locations preventing in press areas, and a weird sequence the place Moroccan ball boys tried to grab a towel being utilized by Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy — in an obvious bid to distract him and assist their workforce win the continental title.
That habits by the house workforce’s ball boys led to a $200,000 nice for Morocco’s federation, which will likely be a co-host of the 2030 World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal and has come underneath scrutiny for the chaotic African closing.
Morocco hoped to host the 2030 World Cup closing on the under-construction Hassan II Stadium, set to be the biggest soccer enviornment on this planet with a capability of 115,000 after its deliberate completion in 2028. However this month’s African closing mirrored badly on it.
Morocco coach Walid Regragui stated the sport had given African soccer a “shameful” picture.
Senegal gamers Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr had been banned for 2 African video games, Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi was additionally banned for 2 video games, with one suspended, and Morocco’s Ismael Saibari was banned for 3 video games and fined $100,000 for unsporting habits.
Senegal’s Sadio Mane holds the trophy aloft as he celebrates with teammates after successful the Africa Cup of Nations closing soccer match between Senegal and Morocco in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026.
Youssef Loulidi/AP
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Youssef Loulidi/AP
The African soccer physique dismissed an attraction by Morocco to have the outcome canceled and Morocco declared the winner due to the Senegalese walk-off.
The sport even strained diplomatic ties between Senegal and Morocco, prompting political officers in each nations to pledge to remain buddies and name for calm. In Morocco, rights teams denounced what they known as hate speech focusing on sub-Saharan African residents within the nation.
Senegal Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko stated on an investment-related journey to Morocco days after the sport that the response to it ought to be seen as “emotional outbursts produced by fervor and not as political or cultural rifts.”
