Quick Read
- The Confederation of African Football (CAF) imposed severe disciplinary sanctions on Senegal and Morocco.
- Penalties included suspensions for players and coaches, and fines exceeding $900,000 for both federations.
- The sanctions followed incidents during the controversial 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final.
- CAF reported the 2025 AFCON as its most digitally engaged tournament, with 6.1 billion impressions and 5.2 billion video views.
- The competition generated record commercial revenues, increasing over 90% from the previous edition, and attracted over 1.25 million spectators.
RABAT (Azat TV) – The Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced significant disciplinary sanctions against the national football federations of Senegal and Morocco on January 28, 2026, following a controversial 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final. These penalties, which include substantial fines and player suspensions, arrive amidst reports that the same tournament achieved unprecedented levels of digital engagement and commercial success, creating a complex narrative for African football’s governing body.
The decisions by CAF underscore its commitment to maintaining order and fair play, even as the flagship continental event shattered viewership and revenue records. The final match, held in Morocco, was marred by various incidents that prompted CAF to take swift disciplinary action against both finalists.
CAF Imposes Sanctions on Senegal and Morocco
The disciplinary committee of CAF issued a series of penalties targeting players, coaches, and national federations. For Senegal, the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) was heavily penalized. Head coach Pape Bouna Thiaw received a five-match suspension and a $100,000 fine. Players Ismaila Sarr and Iliman Ndiaye were each handed two-match suspensions for protesting the referee’s decisions. Furthermore, the FSF faced a fine exceeding $600,000 for the overall conduct of its players, coaching staff, and supporters, according to beIN Sports.
Morocco also incurred substantial sanctions. The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) was fined a total of $315,000. This fine included $200,000 for the inappropriate behavior of ball boys, $100,000 for players and staff storming the VAR area and interfering with officials, and $15,000 for supporters using lasers to distract Senegalese players, as reported by Yahoo Sports. On the player front, Atlas Lions captain Achraf Hakimi received a two-match suspension, with one match suspended for one year on probation. Ismaël Saibari was given a three-match suspension and a $100,000 fine for unsportsmanlike conduct.
CAF also confirmed its rejection of Morocco’s protest against Senegal, officially closing the disciplinary case related to the contentious final.
AFCON 2025 Achieves Record Digital Engagement
Despite the disciplinary fallout, the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, hosted by Morocco, was a monumental success in terms of digital reach and commercial performance. Data released by CAF indicated the tournament generated an astounding 6.1 billion digital impressions and 5.2 billion video views across social media platforms. The event attracted 8.5 million new followers, establishing it as the most digitally engaged continental football competition in history, Morocco World News reported.
TikTok emerged as a primary platform for fan content, with over one million videos created under the official tournament hashtag, showcasing creative goal celebrations, tactical breakdowns, humor, music, and fashion inspired by the championship. This digital growth extended particularly within the African diaspora community, expanding CAF’s audience across various platforms, borders, and cultures at an unprecedented speed.
Commercial and Economic Success of AFCON 2025
The 2025 AFCON also delivered record commercial performance and substantial economic returns. Tournament revenues increased by more than 90% compared to the 2023 Ivory Coast edition, making it CAF’s most profitable tournament to date. The number of tournament sponsors grew from nine in Cameroon 2021 to 17 in Ivory Coast 2023, reaching 23 for Morocco 2025, with CAF successfully entering new markets like China and Japan.
Broadcasting distribution also saw significant expansion, with 111 rights holders and broadcasters transmitting the tournament globally, compared to 67 in the previous edition. Total tournament revenues reached $192.6 million, with net profits estimated at $113.8 million, significantly exceeding the $72 million from the 2023 edition.
Beyond the financial metrics for CAF, Morocco’s hosting generated substantial economic benefits. Industry and Commerce Minister Ryad Mezzour stated that direct revenues exceeded €1.5 billion, funding 80% of the infrastructure needed for the 2030 World Cup. Infrastructure investments totaled €2.3 billion, creating over 100,000 jobs and contributing to a 14% growth in tourist arrivals for Morocco in 2025, with 600,000 tournament-specific visitors. The competition also attracted over 1.25 million spectators across nine stadiums, setting a new attendance record, with the final drawing 66,526 supporters.
The dual narrative of the 2025 AFCON — marked by both record-breaking success in engagement and revenue, and significant disciplinary challenges requiring firm governance from CAF — highlights the complex responsibilities of a continental sports body in a rapidly evolving global landscape.