The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) has officially announced its decision to appeal the sanctions imposed by the CAF Disciplinary Jury, following the incidents that occurred during the final of the 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2025).
The final, played on January 18 at the Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex in Rabat between Morocco and Senegal, continues to generate legal and disciplinary developments as the Moroccan federation seeks a reassessment of the penalties handed down by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
FRMF Challenges the Severity of CAF Sanctions
In an official statement published on its website, the FRMF recalled that the match was marked by several serious incidents, including the withdrawal of Senegalese players and staff from the pitch, the pitch invasion by Senegalese supporters, and the violent clashes that followed.
According to the Moroccan federation, the sanctions imposed by CAF do not adequately reflect the scale and gravity of the events. Determined to protect all rights guaranteed under CAF regulations, the FRMF has therefore decided to formally lodge an appeal with the African football governing body.
Sanctions Imposed by CAF
Following the disciplinary proceedings, CAF imposed several sanctions on both sides. On the Moroccan side, penalties included suspensions for Achraf Hakimi and Ismaël Saibari, as well as financial fines against the FRMF.
These fines were related to issues such as the conduct deemed inappropriate of ball boys, unauthorized presence in the VAR area, and the use of laser pointers by supporters during the match.
Senegal Also Sanctioned
On the Senegalese side, head coach Pape Bouna Thiaw received a five-match suspension, while several players were also sanctioned. The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) was fined for the behavior of its supporters and members of its delegation.
However, the FRMF considers that the sanctions related to the withdrawal of the Senegalese team from the pitch and the pitch invasion by their supporters were not sufficiently addressed, despite constituting a major and unprecedented incident in the history of the Africa Cup of Nations.
A Case with Major Implications
By appealing the CAF decisions, the FRMF aims to obtain a more balanced assessment of responsibility and accountability. The outcome of this appeal could set an important precedent for the handling of serious disciplinary incidents in future AFCON tournaments.
