449
By Oscar Okhifo
Pape Thiaw, head coach of the Senegal national football team, has formally rejected offers from fans to help pay a fine imposed on him following the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final fiasco.
In a statement signed by him and released on Friday, Thiaw said, “I am deeply grateful for the support and generosity of our fans. However, the fine imposed on me by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) is my responsibility alone. I will settle it personally and will not accept fans’ contributions to cover this penalty.
“I appreciate your understanding and continued support for our national team.”
A fine of $100,000 came after Thiaw’s instruction to his team caused a chaos on the field of play during the AFCON final. He was also banned for five out of the six 2027 AFCON matches.
The incident erupted when Senegal was controversially penalized with a late-match penalty, prompting Thiaw to order his players off the field in protest. Only star forward Sadio Mané remained, persuading his teammates to return so play could resume. Senegal went on to claim a 1‑0 victory in extra time.
The walk-off and disruption drew criticism from CAF, FIFA, and other stakeholders, who condemned Thiaw’s actions as unsporting.
The fine was issued as part of CAF’s disciplinary measures to maintain the integrity of the tournament.
Thiaw’s principled stance in refusing fans’ contributions has been widely praised on social media, with supporters lauding it as a display of accountability and integrity.
Fans continue to cheer the national team while respecting the coach’s decision.
Looking ahead, Senegal turns its focus to upcoming international fixtures. The coach on his part has emphasized discipline, teamwork, and respect for football’s rules as the Terega Lions prepare for future challenges