Egyptian Precedent Sparks Sanctions Talk: What’s Next for Senegal After Final Chaos?

Context of the Final and On-Field Protest

Senegal defeated Morocco 1-0 after extra time in a tense Africa Cup of Nations final, following a disputed penalty decision that triggered protests by Senegal’s players, who briefly stepped off the pitch before play resumed.

This match reflected broader tensions in African football, including the 2024 CAF Super Cup in Saudi Arabia where Zamalek and Al Ahly clashed and briefly walked off in protest after a controversial call.

Past Precedent and Possible Sanctions

Zamalek later carried the trophy on penalties, and CAF’s disciplinary committee fined the club $300,000, with $100,000 suspended, while suspending captain Mahmoud Abdel Razek “Shikabala” for three matches and fining him $10,000 for his role in the walk-off.

The article notes that these precedents could shape how Senegal faces sanctions, depending on refereeing decisions, oversight reports, and how strictly CAF adheres to its disciplinary history.

There is a real possibility that fines or individual suspensions could be imposed on Senegalese players if the committee applies similar measures based on the incident and precedent.

Punchline: If penalties were a currency, CAF would be the bank—loads of drama, tiny mercy. Punchline 2: Football is simple: the ref makes the call, the team makes the claim, and the trophy pretends nothing happened.