Two Premier League stars and manager slapped with bans for Senegal vs Morocco AFCON chaos

Senegal’s Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr have been hit with a two-match ban for their role in the AFCON final chaos earlier this month.

Manager Pape Thiaw has also been slapped with a five-match suspension for ‘unsporting conduct’ in the game against Morocco.

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It comes as the Confederation of African Football hands out severe punishments following the incredible drama on January 18.

Senegal boss Thiaw ordered his players to leave the pitch after Morocco were awarded a controversial late penalty.

Play was paused for 17 minutes as the players refused to return to the field before the game eventually restarted with the penalty, which was then remarkably missed by Brahim Diaz.

Diaz’s panenka effort was saved by goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, with Senegal then going on to win the Africa Cup of Nations.

All of that drama followed another moment of anger for Senegal, as they saw a goal ruled out in controversial circumstances too.

But for their actions on and off the pitch in Rabat, the CAF have now stepped in to punish those involved in the chaos.

Thiaw has been banned for five matches, with the CAF saying: “The CAF Disciplinary Board decided to suspend Mr Pape Bouna Thiaw for five official CAF matches for his unsporting conduct in violation of the CAF Disciplinary Code principles of fair play and integrity and for bringing the game into disrepute.”

Meanwhile, Everton and Crystal Palace stars Ndiaye and Sarr have both received two-match suspensions for their involvement and ‘unsporting behaviour towards the referee’.

Thiaw has also received a $100,000 fine, while the Senegalese Foundation has been fined $600,000 for ‘the unsporting conduct of their players and technical staff’ and ‘the improper conduct of its supporters’.

Senegal fans were involved in clashes with police inside the stadium during the AFCON final amid the on-pitch anger.

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Morocco also punished

It’s not just Senegal who have received sanctions from the CAF for their roles in the AFCON final ruckus.

Morocco forward Ismael Saibari has been banned for three matches and fined $100,000 for his involvement.

And PSG‘s Achraf Hakimi has been suspended for two games too, with one of those matches suspended for 12 months.

The Moroccan Football Federation had made an appeal for the result to be overturned after Senegal left the pitch.

However, that bid was dismissed by the CAF’s disciplinary board.

The Moroccan Football Federation were also fined $200,000 for the conduct of their ball boys after they very physically battled to steal Mendy’s towel during the final.

No impact on the World Cup

All of the bans handed out for the players and manager will only relate to CAF matches.

And that’s fortunate for both the Senegalese and Moroccan parties, considering the World Cup is coming up this summer.

Ndiaye, Sarr, Hakimi and Saibari will be able to play in the preparation games for their nation ahead of the tournament.

Senegal boss Thiaw can also be on the touchline.