The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has reaffirmed its disciplinary authority following the turbulent AFCON 2025 final, confirming sanctions against Senegal and Morocco while officially clearing referee Jean-Jacques Ndala of any wrongdoing.
The decision brings closure to days of controversy that followed the explosive final between Senegal and host nation Morocco, a match marked by prolonged stoppages, heated protests, and disciplinary breaches that tested CAF’s governance framework.
CAF draws a clear line on discipline
In a statement released after a comprehensive review, CAF said disciplinary measures imposed on both teams were justified and will remain in force. The sanctions stem from unsporting conduct by players and officials during and after the final, which CAF said violated competition regulations and undermined match order.
Several players were punished for misconduct, including Achraf Hakimi, who received a suspension. CAF also imposed fines on the two football federations, stressing that emotional reactions, regardless of match importance, cannot excuse breaches of discipline.
CAF officials noted that the sanctions were not based on the match result, but on behaviour deemed unacceptable at a continental showpiece.
Referee Ndala cleared of blame
While protests from both camps questioned the officiating, CAF’s Referees and Technical Committees concluded that Jean-Jacques Ndala, the DR Congo official in charge of the final, acted within the Laws of the Game.
After reviewing match footage, referee reports, and VAR communications, CAF said it found no errors, bias, or irregularities in Ndala’s decisions. The governing body praised his composure and control in an environment described as “extremely volatile.”
CAF added that the review was launched to protect the integrity of African football and to ensure accountability — not as an admission of officiating failure.
What triggered the disciplinary action
The AFCON final was one of the most dramatic in recent tournament history. The match, eventually won 1–0 by Senegal after extra time, was interrupted for extended periods due to protests from players and officials, particularly following key refereeing decisions.
At one point, the game was halted for several minutes amid confrontations and resistance to match officials’ instructions. These incidents forced CAF to intervene swiftly after the final whistle.
Morocco and Senegal both submitted formal complaints, prompting CAF to initiate parallel processes — a disciplinary review of conduct and a technical assessment of officiating.
VAR scrutiny and penalty controversy
A major flashpoint in the match involved a VAR-advised penalty decision for Morocco during a lengthy stoppage. Ndala consulted the pitchside monitor before awarding the penalty, a move that drew intense reactions from both teams.
CAF later confirmed that the VAR protocol was followed correctly and that communication between the referee and VAR officials met FIFA standards. The technical review concluded that the decision-making process was valid, even if contentious.
CAF sends message to teams and officials
By maintaining sanctions on the teams while clearing the referee, CAF said it was reinforcing an important distinction: discipline and officiating are separate processes.
CAF warned that public pressure, social media campaigns, and post-match protests will not influence disciplinary outcomes. The federation reiterated its commitment to protecting referees when investigations confirm they acted appropriately.
“This case underlines CAF’s zero-tolerance stance on misconduct and intimidation of match officials,” a CAF source said.
Boost for Ndala’s international prospects
Rather than damaging his career, the outcome has strengthened Ndala’s standing within African football. CAF’s endorsement positions him as a trusted official for high-pressure fixtures, with analysts suggesting he could now be considered for future CAF finals and FIFA tournaments, including the 2026 World Cup.
CAF concluded by stressing that discipline, respect for authority, and adherence to regulations remain central to the credibility and progress of African football.