The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has suspended Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw after a controversial incident during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final against hosts Morocco.
The suspension comes after Thiaw briefly instructed his players to leave the pitch in protest following a penalty awarded to Morocco’s Brahim Diaz in the dying minutes of the match. The incident overshadowed Senegal’s 1-0 victory and sparked widespread criticism from fans, media, and football officials alike.
CAF released a statement condemning the “unacceptable behaviour of some officials and players” during the final in Rabat and confirmed that disciplinary measures had been taken against Thiaw.
The Senegal coach had previously issued an apology, describing his actions as a reaction made in the heat of the moment and expressing regret for the disruption.
This development adds to the ongoing debates about sportsmanship and professionalism in African football, highlighting the strict measures CAF enforces to maintain the integrity of the game.