The Confederation of African Football, through its Disciplinary Board, has imposed a 200,000-dollar fine on the Moroccan Football Federation following disruptive conduct by stadium ball boys during the Africa Cup of Nations final in Rabat.
CAF ruled that the actions of the ball boys at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium breached competition regulations and unfairly interfered with play, shifting attention away from the football on one of the biggest nights of the tournament.
The decision placed full responsibility on the Moroccan Football Federation, stating that the incidents occurred under its supervision during the TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 final.
The match, already tense and emotionally charged, descended further into controversy as Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy’s towel was repeatedly interfered with during stoppages. The towel was crucial due to heavy rain, allowing the goalkeeper to dry his gloves throughout the game.
Senegal’s substitute goalkeeper, Yehvann Diouf, unexpectedly became central to the drama. He spent the entire 120 minutes protecting the towel near the touchline, retrieving it whenever it was removed. Several attempts were made by ball boys and flag bearers to throw the towel away, a pattern similar to incidents seen earlier in the tournament.
Video clips later circulated showing Diouf being pushed to the ground and dragged by multiple ball boys, while other footage captured him running from the touchline to keep the towel safe. Tensions rose further when Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi was seen tossing one of Senegal’s towels beyond the advertising boards.
Despite the chaos, Senegal went on to lift the trophy. Pape Gueye sealed the victory with a brilliant solo goal early in extra time, capping a final filled with controversy both on and off the pitch.
Earlier in the match, Senegal briefly halted play on the instructions of head coach Pape Thiaw after a disallowed goal and a late penalty decision in Morocco’s favour sparked outrage. Former Liverpool star Sadio Mane played a key role in calming the situation and convincing his teammates to resume the match after a lengthy delay.
Morocco missed a golden chance to win the title when Brahim Diaz failed to convert a stoppage-time penalty, attempting an audacious chipped kick that went wide.
CAF’s ruling brings official closure to one of the most dramatic and disorderly Africa Cup of Nations finals in recent history, reinforcing the governing body’s stance on maintaining discipline and fair play at its tournaments.
