Now that the mud has settled on an Africa Cup of Nations final that can be remembered for years, African soccer’s governing physique has handed out punishments for the chaos that ensued.
Fan hassle, gamers refusing to compete, controversial refereeing choices, and a missed penalty had been all flashpoints in a memorable match that was finally received by Senegal.
On Thursday, as many anticipated, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced a number of punishments for each the Lions of Teranga and the overwhelmed finalist Morocco, with particular person gamers and managers additionally dealing with penalties.
The final will maybe be remembered most for the choice by a few of Senegal’s gamers to stroll off the pitch in protest of a penalty being awarded to the Atlas Lions within the final moments of regulation time.
Senegal supervisor Pape Thiaw has subsequently obtained a five-game ban from CAF and has been fined $100,000 for his function in main the protest and for what’s described as “unsporting conduct.”
CAF additionally fined the Senegalese soccer federation (FSF) $300,000 for the “improper conduct of supporters,” after followers clashed with police in a frantic ending to the match. It additionally obtained one other $300,000 positive for the conduct of its gamers and workers, as well as to an additional $15,000 positive for 5 of its gamers receiving cautions from the referee.
Senegalese stars Cheikh Baroy Ndiaye and Ismaïla Sarr had been additionally handed two-game bans for his or her habits in direction of the match official.
The recreation bans, although, don’t embrace the World Cup, which FIFA organizes. The suspensions solely apply to official CAF video games.
While Senegal bore the brunt of CAF’s punishment, Morocco has additionally been slapped with a number of penalties.
Captain Achraf Hakimi obtained a two-game ban from CAF, certainly one of which is suspended for a 12 months, for his “unsporting behavior” in the course of the final. His nationwide teammate Ismael Saibari was additionally banned for 3 official CAF matches and fined $100,000.
The Moroccan soccer federation was additionally fined a complete of $315,000, together with punishment for the habits of its gamers and workers, and for followers utilizing lasers to distract gamers in the course of the final. The positive additionally features a penalty for the poor habits of ball boys, who had been seen making an attempt to take away the Senegalese goalkeeper’s hand towel in the course of the match.
CAF’s announcement caps off what was a tough ending to an in any other case sensible event, one which seemingly continues to divide African soccer.