Head coach of Senegal’s National Men’s Football Team, Pape Thiaw, has reacted to the fine and suspension he has received from Africa’s football governing body, CAF, for his role in the melee that broke out in the 2025 AFCON Final between Senegal and Morocco on January 18.
Senegal beat Morocco 1-0 with Pape Gueye scoring the winning goal in extra time but not before the game descended into chaos that prompted the high profile match to be stopped for several minutes as Senegal voiced their disagreement over a penalty call against them in the final minutes of the game.
During the dispute, Pape Thiaw ushered his players off the field to protest against the decision by referee Jean Jacques Ndala. However, Senegal returned to the field thanks to veteran forward Sadio Mane to complete the game and win the title after Brahim Diaz missed the penalty kick.
In the wake of the final, CAF has handed suspensions and fines to members of the Senegal and Morocco team and federation. Senegal got fined a combined sum of $615,000 while Morocco got fined a combined sum of $415,000. (Click highlighted text to read full story
For Thiaw, he got suspended for five CAF games and got fined $100,000 prompting well wishers to initiate crowd funding campaigns to raise the money needed to settle the fine. However, the AFCON winner has called for such initiatives to be directed at helping people in need.
“People of Senegal, my family, your solidarity since the announcement of the sanctions has touched me deeply. Thank you for the love you show me every day.”
“However, I humbly ask you not to organize fundraising campaigns in my name. While I understand and appreciate this generosity, I encourage you to redirect those funds to more urgent causes, to help those who truly need them” Thiaw wrote on Instagram.
Thiaw is expected to be on the sidelines when Senegal compete in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
