CAF annuls Ismael Saibari fine over Édouard Mendy towel incident | OneFootball

CAF has annulled Ismael Saibari’s fine, issued after he tried to steal Édouard Mendy’s towel in the Africa Cup of Nations final, and also awarded Morocco the 2025 title following Senegal’s forfeit, the confederation said on Tuesday evening.

As the game drew to a close, Senegal reserve goalkeeper Yehvann Diouf had been tasked with protecting Mendy’s towel. Footage from the stands posted on social media showed PSG right-back Achraf Hakimi throwing it over the advertising hoardings, and full-back Malick Diouf sprinting to retrieve it.

Saibari, substituted minutes earlier, tracked Diouf to prevent the towel being returned to Mendy.

Four ball boys then prised it from Saibari’s grasp, dragging him to the ground.

The PSV Eindhoven midfielder had been fined $100,000, about €86,000. That sanction has been cancelled and he will serve a one-match ban in CAF competitions, with a second match suspended.

The Moroccan federation was deemed responsible for the ball boys’ conduct and its fine was cut to $50,000, about €43,000.

Source: L'Équipe