FootyChatter.com

International Football Ulrik Pedersen/Nur Photo via Getty Images Senegal coach Pape Thiaw has been handed a five-match suspension by the governing body of African football with players of Senegal and Morocco also banned following chaotic scenes at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final. Senegal’s final victory on January 18 was overshadowed when their players walked off the pitch before the final whistle and temporarily refused to play on after Morocco were awarded a stoppage-time penalty with the match goalless. Advertisement Thiaw ushered his players off the pitch, leading to a 16-minute delay to proceedings, after the penalty decision which had immediately followed Senegal having a stoppage-time goal of their own ruled out. On Thursday, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) issued Thiaw with a $100, 000 (£72, 000) fine after finding the 44-year-old guilty of “unsporting conduct” and “bringing the game into disrepute”. Senegal forwards Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr each received two-match bans for “unsporting behaviour towards the referee”. Morocco’s Ismael Saibari was banned for three games and fined $100, 000 (£72, 000) while Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi given a two-match suspension, with one game suspended for 12 months, each for “unsporting behaviour”. All suspensions are specific to CAF-governed matches, so will not be applicable to this summer’s World Cup, organised by FIFA, or international friendlies. CAF distributed fines totaling over $1million following the incident. The Senegal Football Federation (FSF) was fined $615, 000 (£444, 000) for breaches of CAF’s disciplinary code, divided between the unsporting conduct of Senegal players and technical staff, the improper conduct of its supporters, and Thiaw’s side receiving five yellow cards during the final. Separately, Morocco’s football federation (FRMF) was fined $200, 000 (£144, 000) for the “inappropriate behaviour” of ball boys, who made several attempts to take the towel of Senegal’s goalkeeper Edouard Mendy during the match. The FRMF was also hit with a $100, 000 (£72, 000) fine for the “improper conduct of players and staff, who invaded the VAR review area” and a further $15, 000 (£10, 870) “for the use of lasers by supporters”. The FRMF’s request to overturn the result of the match due to Senegal’s players leaving the pitch was dismissed by CAF. Advertisement CAF’s decisions follow on from FIFA president Gianni Infantino calling for action after what he described as “ugly scenes” in Rabat, Morocco’s capital. Earlier this week, Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president Rafael Louzan said the scenes at the end of the AFCON final “damaged world football”. Spain and Morocco, alongside Portugal, are the primary co-hosts for the 2030 World Cup. Colin Millar is a Senior Editor for The Athletic. Prior to joining The Athletic, Colin was European Football writer at Mirror Football. From Belfast, he is the author of The Frying Pan of Spain: Sevilla vs Real Betis, Spain’s Hottest Football Rivalry, and he can be found on Twitter/X: @Millar_Colin Follow Colin on Twitter @Millar_Colin