By Michael Nsikan Richard – January 19th, 2026
Why CAF Suspended Thiaw
The Confederation of African Football suspended Thiaw for instructing his players to leave the pitch during the 2025 AFCON final against Morocco on January 18, 2026.
The incident happened in the 7th minute of stoppage time when Morocco was awarded a penalty after a foul on Real Madrid’s Brahim Diaz.
The Sequence of Events
Senegal had just had a goal disallowed late in the match, which infuriated the team. When the penalty was awarded to Morocco, Thiaw ordered his players to leave the pitch and head to the dressing room. This action interrupted play for approximately 17 minutes, and chaos nearly happened with Senegalese fans trying to storm the pitch.
Liverpool icon Sadio Mane then appealed to his coach and teammates to return, eventually convincing them to resume play.
Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy saved the Panenka penalty by Brahim Diaz, and Pape Gueye scored in the 94th minute to give Senegal a 1-0 victory.
CAF’s Stance
CAF condemned the incident as “unacceptable behaviour” and stated it is reviewing footage and referring the matter to the Ethics and Disciplinary Committee for appropriate action.
CAF described Thiaw’s actions as damaging to the image of African football and a breach of competition regulations.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino also condemned the events as “unacceptable scenes,” expecting CAF’s disciplinary bodies to take appropriate measures.
Duration of the Suspension
The exact duration of the suspension has not yet been stated. Reports suggest Thiaw could face a lengthy suspension that could potentially stretch through the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
CAF confirmed Thiaw will serve a suspension from all CAF competitions, with additional financial penalties also enforced.
When Will It Be Lifted?
The suspension’s end date remains undetermined as the CAF Disciplinary Commission is still reviewing the case. The investigation could also lead to additional sanctions for several Senegal players who were involved in the pitch walk-away.
Despite apologizing for his actions after the match, Thiaw faces potential consequences that could affect Senegal’s preparation for the 2026 World Cup, where they are grouped with France, Norway, and a playoff qualifier.
https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/47660852/morocco-appeal-fifa-caf-afcon-chaos
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