AFCON 2025: FIFA sends message to CAF ahead of verdict on Senegal

Tolulope Oke

FIFA has reportedly weighed in on the controversy surrounding the chaotic 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final, as the Confederation of African Football (CAF) prepares to announce its disciplinary verdict on Senegal.

The AFCON 2025 final between Senegal and Morocco was thrown into disorder after referee Jean-Jacques Ndala awarded a controversial late penalty to the hosts in the closing seconds of regulation time.

The decision sparked a furious reaction from Senegal’s technical bench, with head coach Pape Thiaw ordering his players off the pitch and into the dressing room, forcing a stoppage that lasted about 17 minutes.

Play eventually resumed after captain Sadio Mane intervened and persuaded his teammates to return and complete the match.

Morocco’s Brahim Diaz went on to miss the penalty, sending the final into extra time, where Pape Gueye scored the decisive goal to seal a 1–0 win and Senegal’s second AFCON title.

Despite the celebrations, CAF condemned the scenes, describing them as “unacceptable behaviour,” and immediately launched an investigation through its Ethics and Disciplinary Committee, which met on Tuesday to hear submissions on the incident.

As CAF’s verdict is still pending, Senegalese journalist Mamadou Ndiaye has disclosed that FIFA has already clarified its stance on the matter.

In a post on X, Ndiaye wrote:

“#CAN2025 Verdict #FIFA While CAF has still not made a decision after the turbulent final, FIFA has already clarified its position: no international sanctions against Senegal. Any potential sanction from CAF will remain strictly African. No threat whatsoever to the Lions’ participation in the World Cup.”

CAF is expected to announce its final decision in the coming days, with reports suggesting that heavy sanctions may still be imposed on individuals involved, including head coach Pape Thiaw, even as Senegal’s global standing remains unaffected.