The disciplinary sanctions imposed by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) following the Africa Cup of Nations final will have no impact on Senegal and Morocco's participation in the upcoming World Cup. Contrary to fears expressed in the hours following the decision, the suspensions handed down to the players and staff members will only apply to competitions organized by CAF, and not to FIFA competitions.

According to RMC Sport, FIFA has deliberately chosen to let CAF handle the disciplinary aspects of this case alone. While the world governing body has the power to extend certain sanctions internationally, this option is not expected to be used. Neither CAF has requested it, nor does FIFA intend to intervene, preferring to maintain a strict separation of powers.

In this context, the sanctions decided by the CAF disciplinary committee will therefore remain strictly continental. FIFA's legal department does not consider that the alleged offenses justify extending the suspensions worldwide. Therefore, Senegal will indeed participate in the World Cup with its full squad and coach.

Suspended for five matches in CAF competitions, Senegal's coach Pape Thiaw will be able to be on the bench for the match against France, scheduled for June 16 at the World Cup. He was sanctioned for "unsportsmanlike conduct, violation of the principles of fair play and integrity, and damaging the image of football," after inciting his players to leave the field following a penalty awarded to Morocco in stoppage time of the final. He was also fined $100,000 (approximately €83,000).

The same logic applies to Senegalese players Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaïla Sarr, suspended for two CAF matches for "unsportsmanlike conduct towards the referee." Both internationals will remain fully eligible for World Cup matches.

On the Moroccan side, the sanctions against Achraf Hakimi (two matches, one of which is suspended) and Ismaïl Saibari (three matches), in the so-called "towels" affair, also fall under the disciplinary scope of CAF.