Moroccan Football Federation Appeals CAF Disciplinary Sanctions
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) has formally decided to appeal the sanctions issued by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Disciplinary Committee. The decision stems from incidents that marred the Africa Cup of Nations final on January 18, 2026, between the Moroccan national team and its Senegalese counterpart.
In an official statement, the FRMF announced that it had received the Disciplinary Committee’s rulings regarding the serious events witnessed during the final match. These included the withdrawal of Senegalese players and staff from the game and the subsequent pitch invasion by their fans, which led to chaos that significantly disrupted the match and tarnished the image of the continental event.
The FRMF asserted that the imposed penalties do not adequately reflect the magnitude or severity of the actions committed. It further noted that the punitive nature of the decisions lacked proportionality to the gravity of the incidents and failed to provide the necessary deterrence in matches of such significance, which affect the principle of fair play and the safety of players and staff.
The statement confirmed that these observations were officially communicated to the President of the Confederation of African Football. In a letter, the President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation emphasized that the decisions taken neither align with the nature of the recorded events nor sufficiently protect the integrity of continental competitions.
The FRMF stressed that its decision to appeal is part of its commitment to defend the rights of national football and to utilize all available legal mechanisms. Concurrently, the federation affirmed its full respect for CAF institutions and judicial bodies, as well as its adherence to the established procedures within the African football system.
The Disciplinary Committee had previously issued sanctions against both the Senegalese and Moroccan federations. Senegalese national team coach Pape Bouna Thiaw was suspended for five continental matches and fined $100,000. Additionally, two prominent players were each suspended for two matches, and the Senegalese federation faced heavy financial penalties totaling over $600,000.
Conversely, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation was also subject to suspensions and fines targeting some players, in addition to violations related to fan behavior and stadium organization. The Disciplinary Committee rejected the complaint filed by the FRMF against the Senegalese federation, a decision that prompted the FRMF to activate the appeal process in defense of its position.
