The Senegalese Football Federation have vowed to stand behind the Lions of Teranga head coach Pape Thiaw after he was banned by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for five matches as part of a host of sanctions following the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final chaos in Morocco.
Recall that Thiaw ordered his players to leave the field in stoppage time after opponents Morocco were awarded a penalty in the 18 January showpiece in Rabat.
The match was delayed for 17 minutes before Senegal returned to the field and goalkeeper Edouard Mendy easily saved Brahim Diaz’s Panenka penalty. Pape Gueye scored the winning goal in extra time as Senegal went on to lift the trophy.
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Reacting to the development, Khady Diene Gaye, Minister of Sports told Wiwsport.com that Thiaw only defended the the country’s colour and won’t be abandoned.
“We regret these sanctions. I spoke with the president of the Senegalese Football Federation (Abdoulaye Fall), and he gave me an update on the situation.
“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.”
