Senegal coach, Pape Bouna Thiaw, has urged fans to stop organising fundraisers in his name following sanctions imposed by the Confederation of African Football after the AFCON 2025 final.
Thiaw, who led Senegal to victory at the 2025 AFCON final in Morocco, was handed a five‑match suspension and fined $100,000 by CAF for what the disciplinary board described as “unsporting conduct” and bringing the game into disrepute.
The sanctions stem from controversial scenes at the final, when Thiaw ordered his players off the pitch in protest against a late match decision before play resumed and Senegal won in extra time.
In his message to Senegalese supporters, the coach thanked them for their solidarity since the sanctions were announced but asked that they refrain from holding fundraisers in his name.
He said the generosity should instead be directed to help those in genuine need, signalling a desire to keep the focus on broader community needs rather than his personal situation.
Thiaw posted on Instagram on Thursday, “People of Senegal, my family. Your solidarity since the announcement of the sanctions goes straight to my heart. Thank you for the love you show me every day.
“I humbly ask you not to organise fundraisers in my name. While I understand and appreciate this outpouring of generosity, I invite you to redirect these funds to more urgent causes, for the benefit of those who truly need them.”
The CAF disciplinary decisions also included bans and fines for players from both nations and hefty fines for their football federations.
Senegal’s football body was fined a total of about $615,000 for improper conduct by supporters, players and staff, while Moroccan players and officials also faced suspensions and fines as part of the fallout from the heated final.
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