SENEGAL and Morocco have AVOIDED World Cup bans for the chaos that marred their African Cup of Nations Final.
Fifa President Gianni Infantino demanded “appropriate action” for what he dubbed “deplorable scenes”.
They saw Senegal coach Pape Thiaw order his players off the pitch after the tournament hosts were awarded a controversial last kick penalty by VAR.
Feuding fans then attempted to storm the pitch and threw missiles, before Braham Diaz’ missed “Panenka” spot kick led to extra-time settled by a rocket strike by Senegal’s Pape Gueye.
Now, 11 days after the shameful scenes, African Confederation chiefs have punished Thiaw, Crystal Palace midfielder Ismaila Sarr, Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye and PSG’s Moroccan defender Ashraf Hakimi, one other home player plus both nations.
But the bans imposed will only apply to “official CAF matches” – meaning the next round of Afcon qualifiers and NOT this summer’s World Cup.
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Senegal coach Thiaw, unsurprisingly, copped the biggest punishment for his part in the mayhem.
Thiaw, 44, was slapped with a five match suspension for “unsportsmanlike conduct, violation of the principles of fair play and integrity, and damage to the image of football”. He was also fined £72,360 – $100,000.
Ndiaye and Sarr both got two match bans for “unsportsmanlike conduct towards the referee” – DR Congo’s Jean Jacques Ndala.
Hakimi received a two match ban, with one of them suspended, for “unsportsmanlike conduct”, while team-mate Ismael Saibari was banned for two games and fined £72,360 for the same offence.
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In addition, the Senegalese federation was fined a total of £445,000 after being found responsible for the “inappropriate behavior of supporters, which damaged the image of football”, and “unsportsmanlike conduct of its players and technical staff, in violation of the principles of fair play, loyalty and integrity” plus receiving five yellow cards in the game.
Morocco’s FA was fined £228,000 for the “inappropriate behavior of the stadium ball boys”, “invading the VAR review area” during the check for the missed penalty and fans aiming lasers at Senegal players.
And Morocco’s appeal to have the result overturned because of the actions of the Senegal team was “rejected”, confirming that Senegal are African champions for the second time, following their previous triumph in 2021.
Thiaw received plenty of stick for his actions, with Morocco boss Walid Regragui accusing him of bringing “shame” to Africa.
He said: “The image we’ve given of Africa is shameful. A coach who asks his players to leave the field.
“What Pape did does not honour Africa. He had already started in the [pre-match] press conference.
“He wasn’t classy. But he is a champion, so he can say whatever he wants. We stopped the match in the eyes of the world for 10 minutes.”
