The final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, won by Senegal against Morocco (1-0) on January 18, continues to stir up conversations… but now off the pitch. As the verdict from the CAF Disciplinary Jury approaches, expected by Thursday at the latest, uncertainty remains around the fate of some Senegalese players and the referee of the match.
Initially, the focus was mainly on possible sanctions against coach Pape Thiaw and the Senegal national team, a situation already delicate. But against all odds, it has emerged that two players from the Lions, Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaïla Sarr, have also been summoned before the CAF Disciplinary Jury.
According to several reliable sources, this procedure follows the report from the central referee, Congolese Jean-Jacques Ndala. The document mentions an altercation that occurred during the match, directly involving Ismaïla Sarr, with Iliman Ndiaye also cited. The action attributed to the Senegalese number 18 towards the referee — an incident already seen several times during this 2025 AFCON — is said to be the reason for this summons.
On the field, the referee had already shown Ismaïla Sarr a yellow card, a decision that seemed to close the chapter for good. But clearly, that wasn’t enough. The report sent to CAF could reopen the disciplinary case, raising the threat of an additional sanction, despite a foul already judged and punished during the match.
Beyond the situation of the Senegalese players, another major question arises: will referee Jean-Jacques Ndala also face scrutiny from CAF? He has faced heavy criticism throughout this 2025 AFCON, being at the center of several controversial officiating decisions. His officiating during the match Morocco – Comoros, marked by a highly disputed penalty awarded to Morocco, sparked a wave of reactions on social media.
If CAF were to determine that certain decisions or the overall management of the matches did not meet the required standards for this level of competition, sanctions could be considered. These could range from a simple warning to a temporary suspension from international appointments, as outlined in the refereeing regulations of the Confederation.
Thus, the awaited verdict will not only decide whether Ismaïla Sarr faces a double sanction, but also whether CAF intends to take balanced responsibility, by also evaluating the role and conduct of its own officials.
