Teranga Lions in hot water! Senegal facing brutal CAF sanctions despite lifting the trophy | OneFootball

Will Senegal be punished after AFCON final chaos?

Teranga Lions in hot water! Senegal facing brutal CAF sanctions despite lifting the trophy

The dramatic AFCON 2025 final between Morocco and Senegal is set to have repercussions off the pitch.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has opened an official investigation into the chaotic events that took place in the city of Rabat.

Senegal lifted the trophy with 1 - 0 extra time victory over Morocco but the match was overshadowed by sequence of flashpoints that brought the final to the brink of collapse.

The tension peaked in stoppage time of normal play. Senegal believed they had scored through Ismaïla Sarr ,, only for the goal to be ruled out for foul on Achraf Hakimi.

Minutes later the referee awarded Morocco penalty after a VAR review for challenge on Brahim Díaz.

The decision triggered fury among the Senegalese players. Several left the pitch in protest and headed toward the tunnel effectively halting the match.

It took nearly ten minutes, and the intervention of Sadio Mané for order to be restored.

“Let’s play like men” Mané was heard telling his teammates as he urged them back onto the field.

Morocco failed to capitalize on the moment with Edouard Mendy saving Díaz’s penalty. In extra time Senegal struck the decisive blow when Pape Gueye unleashed powerful effort to seal the title and crown the Teranga Lions champions for second time in their history.

CAF has since confirmed that it is reviewing all footage and reports from the final. In official statement the governing body condemned “unacceptable behaviour by certain players and officials” and stressed that any actions targeting referees or match organizers “cannot be tolerated”

FIFA president Gianni Infantino also weighed in warning that leaving the field in protest threatens the integrity of the game. “Teams must respect the laws of football. Any other conduct undermines the essence of the sport” he said.

Reports in Egypt and North Africa suggest that Senegal could face heavy financial penalties, possible matches behind closed doors and multi game suspension for head coach Pape Thiaw.

Moroccan football authorities may also be sanctioned over disturbances involving members of the media and post match protocol.