CAF Bans Senegal Coach Pape Thiaw After AFCON Final Chaos
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has suspended Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw following his controversial decision to lead his players off the pitch during the Africa Cup of Nations final against Morocco.
The dramatic incident occurred in stoppage time after a late Senegal goal was disallowed and Morocco were awarded a penalty following a VAR review.
In protest, Thiaw instructed his team to abandon the pitch, halting the match for several minutes and triggering chaos inside the stadium.
Senegal captain Sadio Mané eventually persuaded his teammates to return and complete the match. Senegal went on to win the final 1–0 in extra time, securing another AFCON title despite the disruption.
CAF’s disciplinary committee confirmed Thiaw’s suspension on Monday, citing breaches of competition regulations and unsporting conduct. The governing body described the walk-off as unacceptable and damaging to the integrity of the tournament.
In a public apology issued after the match, Thiaw admitted his actions were driven by emotion and said he regretted ordering his players off the field.
“I allowed my emotions to get the better of me. I should have handled the situation differently,” Thiaw said.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino also condemned the protest, stressing the importance of respecting match officials and maintaining discipline, especially in major finals.
CAF is expected to announce further details regarding the duration of Thiaw’s suspension and whether additional sanctions will be imposed on Senegal’s coaching staff or players.
The controversial final has reignited debates over refereeing standards, VAR decisions, and sportsmanship in African football.
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