Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw has thanked supporters for their solidarity following a fine and suspension imposed by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) after incidents during the AFCON 2025 final, but urged that fundraisers in his name be redirected to those in need.
“People of Senegal, my family, your solidarity since the announcement of the sanctions has touched me deeply. Thank you for the love you show me every day,” Thiaw said.
He added, “However, I humbly ask you not to organise fundraisers in my name. While I understand and appreciate this gesture of generosity, I invite you to redirect these funds to more urgent causes, for the benefit of those who truly need them.”
CAF confirmed Senegal as champions of AFCON 2025 but sanctioned both Senegal and Morocco following a series of incidents during the final.
In a statement released on Thursday, January 29, 2026, Senegal was fined a total of $615,000. The fine includes $300,000 for supporters’ misconduct, $300,000 for misconduct by players and officials, and $15,000 for five yellow cards accumulated during the final.
Coach Thiaw was handed a five-match suspension from official CAF competitions and fined $100,000 for conduct deemed to have brought the game into disrepute.
Additionally, Senegal players Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr were each suspended for two official CAF matches for unsporting behaviour towards the referee.
![John Setor Dumelo, Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture [in white attire], with other participants](https://www.citinewsroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/AFRI-350x250.png)
