The government of Senegal have promised to stand behind national team coach Pape Thiaw after his ban by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for the fallout from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final in Rabat, Afrosport reports.
The 44-year-old coach was handed a five-game CAF ban for ordering his players to leave the pitch in protest after Morocco were awarded a penalty deep in added time.
The players returned back, with Brahim Diaz having his penalty saved by goalkeeper Edouard Mendy while Pape Gueye won it in extra time with a sublime goal.
Thiaw was also fined $100,000 while the Senegal team and federation (FSF) were fined a total total of $715,000, with Morocco fined a total of $415,000.
Senegal Minister of Sports, Khady Diene Gaye, in a statement said: “…Pape Thiaw is Senegalese, a patriot. He has ardently defended his country, the colors of Senegal.
“He is our national team coach, so we are all behind him and with him. We will do everything in our power, both at the Federation level and at the Ministry of Sports, to defend him. We will not abandon him.”
Des Champions reçus au palais de la République, célébrés, honorés et récompensés par le Président Bassirou Diomaye Faye, au nom du Peuple Sénégalais reconnaissant. ⭐️⭐️ pic.twitter.com/RmCV43VK73
— Equipe du Sénégal (@GaindeYi) January 21, 2026
Thiaw will serve his suspension during the upcoming 2027 AFCON qualifiers, but will be able to take charge of the Teranga Lions at the 2026 FIFA World Cup where they will take on France, Norway and a yet-to-be-confirmed team in Group I.
