Pape Thiaw: The Senegal coach has been suspended for five matches after chaos in the Africa Cup of Nations final

Senegal coach Pape Thiaw has been banned for five matches following chaotic scenes during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final against Morocco this month.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) fined Thiaw $100,000 (£72,000), saying he was guilty of “unsporting behaviour” and “damaging the reputation of the game”.

This was one of a number of fines imposed, totaling around £1 million, after the match.

The final match held on January 18 in Rabat, which Senegal won 1-0, witnessed chaos when Senegal’s players left the field after Morocco were awarded a penalty kick in stoppage time.

Thiaw, still angry at the referee’s decision moments before a foul was called on Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi before Ismaila Sarr headed in, ordered his players to leave the field.

The match was postponed for about 17 minutes before Senegalese striker Sadio Mane convinced his teammates to return to the field.

In a post on Instagram, externalThiaw “humbly” asked fans not to organize fundraising campaigns in his name to help pay the fine.

After thanking supporters for “the love they show me every day,” he said: “While I understand and appreciate this gesture of generosity, I invite you to redirect these funds to more pressing causes, to benefit those who truly need it.”