As Senegal holds its breath waiting for the verdict from the CAF disciplinary committee following the chaotic final of the 2025 AFCON, FIFA has stepped in to clarify the situation. The global body has already announced that no international sanctions will be imposed, removing any threat to the Lions of Teranga’s participation in the upcoming World Cup.
The CAF is set to meet this Tuesday to review the serious incidents that occurred during the final, which Morocco won 1-0. At the end of the match, Senegalese players left the field to contest a highly controversial penalty, plunging the game into an atmosphere of extreme tension. This episode sparked real chaos: prolonged interruptions, clashes in the stands, attempts to invade the pitch, vandalism, and several injuries.
In this explosive context, national coach Pape Thiaw finds himself particularly exposed. Considered one of the main instigators of his team’s withdrawal, he could face severe sanctions from the CAF. The committee’s deliberations will rely on three key reports: that of Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ngambo Ndala, that of the match delegate, and that of the security officials.
On FIFA’s side, the message is firm yet measured. Its president, Gianni Infantino, unequivocally condemned the scenes witnessed during this final, deeming it unacceptable to leave the field mid-match and the violence that surrounded the event. However, according to L’Équipe, FIFA’s legal experts clarify that any sanctions imposed by the CAF will remain strictly within the continental framework.
In summary, even if Pape Thiaw and some Senegalese players were to be suspended or sanctioned at the African level, these measures would have no impact on competitions organized by FIFA. The Lions of Teranga can therefore look to the future with some relief: their qualification and participation in the next World Cup are not threatened, despite the severity of the events in this 2025 AFCON final.
