Morocco is pushing back against the Confederation of African Football after Africa Cup of Nations final against Senegal. The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) confirmed it is appealing hefty fines and player bans handed down after a chaotic finish.
The row centres on Senegal’s 15-minute walk-off. Morocco had been awarded a late penalty, but Senegal coach Pape Thiaw pulled his team off the pitch. Morocco insists CAF rules say any team leaving without the referee’s OK should forfeit 3–0. CAF disagreed, keeping Senegal’s 1–0 win. Moroccan officials are crying foul.
The sanctions have drawn sharp criticism. Ismaël Saibari faces a three-match ban and $100,000 fine over a “towel incident,” while captain Achraf Hakimi has a two-match ban. Morocco was also fined $315,000 for laser pointers, ball boy incidents, and staff entering the VAR area.
Senegal has accepted its penalties, including a five-match ban for Thiaw. Morocco isn’t backing down. FRMF president Fouzi Lekjaa has warned CAF that if the fines aren’t cut or the rules revisited, the federation is ready to take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland.
There’s a silver lining: FIFA confirmed the bans apply only to CAF competitions. Hakimi and Saibari will still be eligible for the 2026 World Cup this June.
