The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has suspended Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw after reviewing the dramatic scenes that disrupted Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final in Rabat.

Senegal went on to defeat host nation Morocco 1–0 after extra time at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium to claim their second AFCON title, but the historic victory was overshadowed by Thiaw’s decision to order his players off the pitch in protest.

CAF said the coach’s action amounted to a serious breach of conduct and posed a threat to the integrity of the competition.

The controversy unfolded late in second-half stoppage time when referee Jean-Jacques Ndala awarded Morocco a penalty following a VAR review, just moments after a Senegalese goal had been ruled out. The decision sparked outrage on the Senegal bench.

In response, Thiaw instructed his players to walk off the pitch, raising fears that the final could be abandoned or forfeited. Play was suspended for nearly 20 minutes as match officials worked to calm tensions and restore order.

Senegal captain Sadio Mané eventually intervened, persuading his teammates to return to the field and allow the match to continue.

Senegal later secured the title in extra time through a decisive goal from Pape Gueye, but CAF moved swiftly after the final whistle to take disciplinary action against the technical crew.

In a statement, CAF’s disciplinary committee said walk-offs and protests, regardless of refereeing decisions, are unacceptable in professional football.

“Such actions undermine the principles of fair play and the integrity of CAF competitions,” the committee said.

Thiaw later admitted he acted out of anger, expressing regret and acknowledging that emotions overwhelmed him during the tense closing stages of the final.