{"id":39953,"date":"2026-01-29T16:38:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-29T21:38:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/01\/29\/afcon-final-turmoil-senegals-coach-misses-world-cup-while-hakimi-faces-consequences\/"},"modified":"2026-01-29T16:38:00","modified_gmt":"2026-01-29T21:38:00","slug":"afcon-final-turmoil-senegals-coach-misses-world-cup-while-hakimi-faces-consequences","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/01\/29\/afcon-final-turmoil-senegals-coach-misses-world-cup-while-hakimi-faces-consequences\/","title":{"rendered":"AFCON Final Turmoil: Senegal&#8217;s Coach Misses World Cup While Hakimi Faces Consequences!"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_74 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/01\/29\/afcon-final-turmoil-senegals-coach-misses-world-cup-while-hakimi-faces-consequences\/#AFCON_Finals_Turn_Chaotic\" >AFCON Finals Turn Chaotic<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/01\/29\/afcon-final-turmoil-senegals-coach-misses-world-cup-while-hakimi-faces-consequences\/#Penalties_for_AFCON_Final_Participants\" >Penalties for AFCON Final Participants<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/01\/29\/afcon-final-turmoil-senegals-coach-misses-world-cup-while-hakimi-faces-consequences\/#Mane_Steps_Up\" >Mane Steps Up<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/01\/29\/afcon-final-turmoil-senegals-coach-misses-world-cup-while-hakimi-faces-consequences\/#Whats_Next\" >What&#8217;s Next?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<div><!--(--><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex-col-cntr article-content mg-b-25\" style=\"width:100%;\" showslider=\"false\" use-external-image=\"false\">\n<div class=\"freeform-content\">\n<p class=\"ital ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6\"><img decoding=\"async\" height=\"20px\" src=\"https:\/\/b.fssta.com\/uploads\/application\/external-logos\/goal-dot-com-logo_black.svg\"\/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\">Senegal&#8217;s head coach, Pape Thiau, and Morocco&#8217;s captain, Achraf Hakimi, have both faced suspensions following the tumultuous African Cup of Nations final. Senegal triumphed with a 1-0 win against Morocco amid chaotic scenes, where Thiau urged his players to exit the field in reaction to controversial refereeing decisions, leading to his suspension and fine by the African Football Confederation.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"article-content mg-b-25\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"AFCON_Finals_Turn_Chaotic\"><\/span>AFCON Finals Turn Chaotic<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\">Earlier this month, the match at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium saw Senegal nearly secure victory with a goal from Abdoulaye Sekku, only for referee Jean-Jacques N&#8217;Dala to disallow the goal and later award Morocco a questionable penalty. Thiau, incensed, called for his team to protest by leaving the pitch, resulting in a lengthy stoppage. When the match resumed, Real Madrid&#8217;s Dias saved the penalty attempt, and Pape Gueye delivered a stunning winning goal in extra time, ensuring Senegal claimed the AFCON title.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\">FIFA president Gianni Infantino denounced the incidents surrounding the match as &#8220;unacceptable.&#8221; He stated, \u201cWe witnessed troubling scenes both on the field and in the stands. The actions of certain supporters, along with some players, are inexcusable. Exiting the pitch in that manner and any form of violence is simply not acceptable in our sport.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"mg-b-15 article-content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Penalties_for_AFCON_Final_Participants\"><\/span>Penalties for AFCON Final Participants<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<div class=\"full-width-image mg-t-15 article-content mg-b-25\"><img loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxsports.com\/statics.foxsports.com\/www.foxsports.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/640\/427\/GettyImages-2256393110-scaled.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1,  https:\/\/a57.foxsports.com\/statics.foxsports.com\/www.foxsports.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1280\/854\/GettyImages-2256393110-scaled.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" loading=\"lazy\"\/> <\/div>\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\">Thiau has received a five-match suspension and a fine of \u00a372,000 for &#8220;unsporting behavior&#8221; by prompting his players to leave the field. The Senegalese Football Association has also been fined \u00a3445,000 in connection with the chaos stemming from fans clashing with security forces during the match.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\">Both Everton&#8217;s Iliman Ndiaye and Crystal Palace&#8217;s Ismaila Sarr received two-match bans, while Morocco was fined \u00a3228,000 due to the behavior of a ball boy who attempted to conceal Senegal&#8217;s goalkeeper&#8217;s towel. The fine also accounts for a fan who used a laser pointer to distract players and technical staff from both teams. Achraf Hakimi has been given a two-match suspension, of which one match is deferred for a year, while teammate Ismael Saibari was handed a three-match ban and fined \u00a372,000 for attempting to take Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy&#8217;s towel.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"article-content mg-b-25\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Mane_Steps_Up\"><\/span>Mane Steps Up<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\">Former Liverpool player Sadio Mane received praise for mediating among his Senegal teammates, preventing them from leaving the pitch and encouraging a return to play. He expressed that referees, like anyone else, can err.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\">Mane mentioned to reporters, \u201cWhen my teammates decided to exit, I chose to stay and discuss the situation. I brought everyone back to continue the game. It\u2019s just soccer; referees make mistakes. The focus should be on respecting the game and not unfairly abandoning the match.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"mg-b-15 article-content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Whats_Next\"><\/span>What&#8217;s Next?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<div class=\"full-width-image mg-t-15 mg-b-15 article-content\"><img loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxsports.com\/statics.foxsports.com\/www.foxsports.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/640\/427\/senegal201.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1,  https:\/\/a57.foxsports.com\/statics.foxsports.com\/www.foxsports.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1280\/854\/senegal201.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" loading=\"lazy\"\/> <\/div>\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\">Both nations will return to the global stage at this summer&#8217;s North American World Cup. Morocco will compete in Group C against Brazil, Haiti, and Scotland, while Senegal has been placed in Group I with 2018 champions France and Norway, with other teams still to be announced. Thiau&#8217;s suspension may prevent him from participating in much of the tournament.<\/p>\n<p><!--)--><\/div>\n<p><strong>Fan Take:<\/strong> This news is vital for soccer enthusiasts as it highlights the increasing tensions and challenges referees face under pressure, reminding fans of the importance of sportsmanship. The implications of these suspensions could affect players&#8217; performances and team dynamics in future international competitions, which ultimately shapes the excitement surrounding the sport.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Senegal&#8217;s head coach, Pape Thiau, and Morocco&#8217;s captain, Achraf Hakimi, have both faced suspensions following the tumultuous African Cup of Nations final. Senegal triumphed with a 1-0 win against Morocco amid chaotic scenes, where Thiau urged his players to exit the field in reaction to controversial refereeing decisions, leading to his suspension and fine by [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":39954,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[7685,1237,8521,913,112,63,40,8520,1785,46,8519,45,5487,42],"class_list":{"0":"post-39953","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-football","8":"tag-afcon","9":"tag-coach","10":"tag-consequences","11":"tag-cup","12":"tag-faces","13":"tag-final","14":"tag-football","15":"tag-hakimi","16":"tag-misses","17":"tag-news","18":"tag-senegals","19":"tag-soccer","20":"tag-turmoil","21":"tag-world"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39953","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=39953"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39953\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/39954"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=39953"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=39953"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=39953"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}