The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has suspended Senegal’s head coach, Pape Thiaw. This is because of his actions during the AFCON 2025 final against Morocco.
The decision came after CAF’s disciplinary committee found Thiaw guilty of breaking competition rules. Late in the game, he told his players to walk off the pitch. This was a protest against a controversial decision by the referee.
Senegal’s players did return to the field. They went on to win the match 1-0 after extra time and lifted the trophy. However, CAF stated that the actions of Thiaw and his staff were unacceptable. They said it damaged the image of African football.
CAF has now given Thiaw a suspension from all its competitions. He was also given a fine. The ban means he will miss Senegal’s upcoming matches. The Senegalese Football Federation must now find a temporary coach.
In a statement, CAF stressed its commitment to discipline and respect for match officials. They said no team or person is above the rules. The sanctions follow the CAF disciplinary code. They also warned that similar behavior in the future will lead to even harsher penalties.
This incident has caused much debate across Africa. It has brought up old concerns about refereeing standards and discipline at major tournaments. While Senegal are champions, the story of the final is now also about this suspension.
