Morocco, Senegal face heavy fines for misconduct at AFCON final
Morocco and Senegal players clash during the AFCON final (via AFP)
The Africa Cup of Nations final ended in a 1-0 victory for Senegal, but it was deemed controversial due to the actions of both teams. Now both Senegal and Morocco face heavy fines by the Confederation of African Football, as reported by Africa News and agencies on January 29th.
Senegal will be fined $700,000 for unsporting conduct by players and fans, while Morocco faces a $400,000 fine for unsporting conduct, obstructing the referee, and its fans’ use of lasers.
Senegal had staged a walkout after Morocco was awarded a penalty when Senegal player El Hadji Malick Diouf pulled on Brahim Diaz. As players protested the decision, fans also clashed in the stands, turning the situation violent. Senegal’s walkout, instructed by coach Pape Thiaw, lasted for 14 minutes.
Coach Pape Bouna Thiaw is suspended for five matches, along with players Iliman Ndiaye and Ismail Sarr, who are suspended for two matches. On the other hand, Moroccan star player Achraf Hakimi has received a two-match suspension, with one match suspended for a year. Along with Ismael Saibari, who has a three-match suspension.
The sanctions also come after Morocco threatened legal action against Senegal for its conduct, citing that it “had a significant impact on the normal course of the match and on the players’ performance”. Morocco also accused Senegal of regulation breaches, which the CAF has rejected.
The walkout was heavily criticised across the world of football, including the FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who said it placed the spirit of football in jeopardy.
Following this, Spain has claimed that it will be the leader of the 2030 World Cup and will hold the finals in its country. While praising Morocco’s infrastructural capacity, the Spanish Football Federation president, Rafael Louzan, said, “We must recognise what has been done well. But in the Africa Cup of Nations, we saw scenes that damage the image of world football.”
Although the official announcement has not been made, both Spain and Morocco have previously expressed interest in hosting the 2030 World Cup finals, with Morocco relying on its successful hosting of the Africa Cup of Nations.
Africa News and agencies, Maghrebi.org
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