2025 AFCON: Senegal coach Pape Thiaw suspended by CAF
19th January 2026
Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw has been suspended by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) following dramatic scenes during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final against hosts Morocco in Rabat.
CAF confirmed the suspension on Monday, a day after Senegal players briefly walked off the pitch in protest at a late penalty awarded to Morocco during the tense final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium. The governing body said disciplinary proceedings had been opened after reviewing reports and footage from the match.
The incident occurred deep into stoppage time, when a VAR review led to Morocco being awarded a penalty. As tensions boiled over, Senegal’s players protested fiercely, with Thiaw reportedly instructing his team to leave the field in a show of opposition to the decision.
The match was halted for several minutes before order was restored and play eventually resumed.
In a statement, CAF said it had acted in line with its regulations, describing the behaviour as unacceptable and confirming that Thiaw had been suspended with immediate effect. The length of the suspension has not yet been announced.
“The matter has been referred to the appropriate disciplinary bodies,” CAF said, adding that further sanctions could follow once the process is concluded.
Despite the controversy, Senegal went on to win the final 1–0 after extra time, claiming their second AFCON title. Goalkeeper Édouard Mendy saved the disputed penalty, before Pape Gueye scored the decisive goal moments into extra time.
The fallout from the final has continued to dominate headlines. Earlier, CAF and FIFA president Gianni Infantino both condemned the scenes, stressing that refereeing decisions must be respected and that leaving the field of play undermines the integrity of the game.
For Senegal, the suspension of Thiaw casts a shadow over what should have been a moment of unqualified celebration, while CAF now faces renewed scrutiny over discipline and conduct at African football’s biggest stage.