In the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations between Morocco and Senegal, a highly contested penalty awarded to the host country caused a collective retreat of the Senegalese players towards the dressing rooms, interrupting the end of the match for about fifteen minutes.

The Lions then returned to the field and finished the match, finally winning the AFCON-2025, 1-0 after extra time.

Official voices, including that of FIFA President Gianni Infantino, have described the behavior as "unacceptable" and called for disciplinary proceedings to be opened.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed that the case will be examined by its Disciplinary Committee, the body competent to rule on breaches of regulations.

Here is what you need to know about this commission and the timeline of the procedure.

Role and powers of the Disciplinary Committee

The Disciplinary Committee is the CAF's jurisdictional body responsible for ensuring compliance with regulations and sanctioning behavior contrary to the ethics and integrity of African football.

It intervenes in particular to examine referee reports and videos of incidents during matches, to verify violations of the CAF Disciplinary Code (unsportsmanlike conduct, contact with officials, inappropriate gestures, disturbances, use of objects, etc.), to pronounce suspensions, fines, forfeits or other sanctions, in accordance with the regulations.

When is the Disciplinary Committee scheduled to meet?

The Disciplinary Committee is convened in the days following the incident. The aim is to reach a swift decision in order to preserve the integrity of the competitions and prevent the matter from dragging on.

It operates according to an adversarial procedure: it examines the facts, summons the parties, listens to the defense, then deliberates.

The commission acts on the basis of referee reports, CAF match commissioner reports, video footage, and sometimes official complaints filed by a federation or CAF itself. It can also initiate investigations on its own in serious cases.

Without a written report or evidence, there can be no disciplinary proceedings.

The FIFA president on Monday condemned "the behavior of some Senegalese players and members of the technical staff" and called on the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to take "appropriate measures".

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What is the composition of this commission?

The CAF Disciplinary Committee is composed of a chairman (a lawyer or independent figure); several members appointed by the CAF Executive Committee, often specialists in sports law; and a secretariat responsible for the procedure and communication of decisions.

This structure guarantees an impartial approach that complies with international regulations.

The members are lawyers specializing in sports law, sometimes former referees or managers from different CAF member associations (principle of geographical representation).

Members are appointed by the CAF Executive Committee for a fixed term (aligned with the CAF-FIFA cycles).

A member cannot sit on a case involving his country or federation (principle of conflict of interest).

What sanctions can be imposed?

The Disciplinary Committee acts as a court of first instance for all disciplinary offences committed during CAF competitions.

According to the CAF Disciplinary Code, the sanctions provided range from match suspensions for players or officials to financial fines and warnings.

They can also include playing behind closed doors, banning access to stadiums, deducting points, or even, in the most serious cases, a defeat by forfeit.

The sanctions are immediately enforceable, although an appeal is possible.

Any decision can be appealed to the CAF Appeals Board in accordance with the provisions of Articles 54, 55, 56, 57 and 58 of the CAF Disciplinary Code, according to the official website of the body.

Can the Disciplinary Committee impose sanctions that go beyond the scope of CAF competitions?

The Disciplinary Committee has a wide range of sanctions at its disposal: suspension of players or coaches for several matches, valid across all CAF competitions; exclusion of a team from future continental competitions; financial fines; but also recommendations of sanctions to FIFA, which may affect qualifications for the World Cup or other international tournaments.

In the case of Senegal, some players who left the pitch could receive individual suspensions applicable beyond the AFCON.

According to an interpretation of the regulations reported by some media outlets, the Senegalese Football Federation could face a fine of between 50,000 and 100,000 euros. While significant, this financial penalty is considered secondary for Senegal, where the sporting stakes far outweigh the economic impact.

The real danger lies in the individual suspensions, both for players and members of the coaching staff. These could range from two to four matches for players and staff members involved in the withdrawal from the field.

These suspensions would be applicable to FIFA competitions, and therefore directly to the 2026 World Cup.

Consequences for the World Cup

Such a decision would have major consequences:

- Senegal, the reigning African champion, would see its continental title tarnished by a period of sporting uncertainty.

- The absence of key players could compromise their ambitions at the World Cup, in an already tough group.

- The technical staff, notably the coach Pape Thiaw, could also be affected by suspensions, weakening the preparation and cohesion of the team.

What are the timeframes for making a decision?

The Disciplinary Commission must rule and issue a reasoned decision within a period generally between 7 and 30 days after being seized of the matter.

This timeframe ensures transparency, prevents future competitions from being affected by prolonged uncertainty, and allows sufficient time for the defense.

Will Senegal have the opportunity to defend itself before the commission?

Yes, according to the regulations. The disciplinary rules guarantee the right to a defense. The Senegalese Football Federation will have the opportunity to submit written observations, present legal arguments, and, if necessary, request a hearing.

In the event of a sanction deemed questionable, an appeal is also possible before the CAF appeal bodies and as a last resort before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Although the Senegal team is not at risk of a forfeit, several members of the Senegalese delegation, including coach Pape Thiaw, could be directly targeted by individual sanctions.

While the financial fine remains symbolic, the sporting suspensions pose a real threat. Senegal, the African champions, could approach the 2026 World Cup weakened, without several key players, facing top-level opponents.

Despite disciplinary threats, coach Pape Thiaw enjoys strong support from the Senegalese authorities.

During the official reception for the African champions on Tuesday, January 20 in Dakar, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye praised the sporting achievement and the national unity brought about by the victory.

The head of state announced exceptional rewards: unprecedented financial bonuses, allocation of land on the Petite Côte and national decorations.

This symbolic gesture reflects a political will to protect and value technical supervision, despite criticism and threats of sanctions.

The Senegalese national team, returning from Morocco, was warmly welcomed upon disembarking from the plane by the Head of State Bassirou Diomaye Faye and the Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko.

Beyond the case of Senegal, this issue is being closely monitored by stakeholders in African and global football. The CAF faces a delicate challenge: strictly enforcing its regulations while avoiding setting a precedent that could fuel collective disputes on the pitch.

The Disciplinary Commission's decision is expected as a signal on how the continental body intends to regulate referee protests in future competitions.

BBC NEWS