Cape Town, Jan 29 (PTI): Senegal coach Pape Thiaw has been banned for five matches and fined USD 100,000, while players from Senegal and Morocco have also received suspensions following a walk-off and chaotic scenes during the African Cup of Nations final, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) said.
CAF on Wednesday announced fines totalling USD 615,000 for the Senegalese football federation and USD 315,000 for the Moroccan federation for unsporting and improper conduct by players, coaching staff and supporters, among other violations.
The African Cup final, played on January 23 in Rabat, was marred by Senegal players walking off the pitch under the leadership of coach Thiaw in protest against a late penalty awarded to host Morocco.
After a delay, the match resumed, Morocco missed the penalty, and Senegal went on to win the title 1-0 after extra time.
The final also witnessed disorderly scenes, including supporters attempting to storm the pitch, players from both teams scuffling on the sidelines, reporters from the two countries clashing in press areas, and an incident in which Moroccan ball boys tried to seize a towel being used by Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.
CAF said the conduct of the home team’s ball boys resulted in an additional USD 200,000 fine for the Moroccan federation. Morocco is set to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup along with Spain and Portugal.
Among individual sanctions, Senegal players Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr were banned for two African matches each. Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi was also handed a two-match ban, with one match suspended.
Morocco midfielder Ismael Saibari received a three-match ban and was fined USD 100,000 for unsporting behaviour.
CAF also dismissed an appeal by Morocco seeking to have the match result annulled and the title awarded to them due to Senegal’s walk-off. PTI