Ban for Bayern scare
Fines in the millions after scandal in the Africa Cup
January 29, 2026 – 5:00 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
The Africa Cup final ended in chaos. The continental association CAF is now imposing millions in fines – also because of the strange behavior of the ball boys.
After the turbulent final between Senegal and Morocco (1-0) in mid-January, the African Football Association CAF issued millions in fines. Senegal coach Pape Thiaw received a five-game ban and must pay $100,000 because his team left the pitch in a united front after a controversial penalty whistle in stoppage time. In total, the penalties for both associations amount to almost $1 million.
The Senegalese association was fined $615,000 for various offenses. Two other players received suspensions. Thiaw “brought the game into disrepute” with his “unsportsmanlike behavior” in the 1-0 win against hosts Morocco, the CAF justified the punishment. At the coach’s behest, the team left the field on Sunday, January 18th.
Morocco also has to pay $315,000. A large part is due to the behavior of the ball boys. They stole the towel from Senegal’s goalkeeper Edouard Mendy several times in rainy weather.
Midfielder Ismaël Saibari was suspended for three games and must pay an additional $100,000. In the final, he harassed Senegal’s substitute goalkeeper Yéhvann Diouf while he was defending Mendy’s towel. The 25-year-old scored for Eindhoven against Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday. Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi also received a two-game ban. One encounter is suspended for a year for the former Dortmund player.
The CAF rejected Morocco’s protest to deny victory to Senegal. The host argued that Senegal had given up the game by leaving the pitch. The association did not follow this. With the return of the Senegalese players, the match could continue and finish. The criteria for termination were not met.
Pape Gueye scored the winning goal in extra time. The controversial penalty in injury time had previously been missed. The penalties only apply to CAF games and have no impact on the summer World Cup.
