Senegal Coach Pape Thiaw Turns Down Fan Donations Amid $100,000 CAF Fine

Senegal's head coach, Pape Thiaw, has publicly requested that fans stop organising fundraisers in his name and instead channel the funds toward more pressing causes.

The call comes after supporters launched an online fundraising campaign to help pay a fine levied against the coach.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) imposed a $100,000 fine (approximately €83,500) and a five-match suspension on Thiaw for his actions during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final against Morocco.

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Pape Thiaw had instructed his players to walk off the pitch in protest after Morocco was awarded a penalty at the end of normal time. Despite the controversy, Senegal went on to secure a 1-0 victory in extra time.

In a show of solidarity, fans quickly rallied, with an online drive attracting over 4,000 contributors and raising more than 4.4 million CFA francs (around €6,700).

In a message posted on Instagram, Pape Thiaw expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming support but urged the public to cease the collections.

The coach thanked his backers for their solidarity before asking that the money be redirected to more urgent needs.

“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,” he shared.

“However, I humbly ask you not to organise any fundraisers (cagnottes) in my name. While I understand and appreciate this surge of generosity, I invite you to redirect these funds toward more urgent causes, for the benefit of those who truly need them.”

Pape Thiaw's message is a testament to leadership that extends beyond the football pitch, setting an inspiring example.

Meanwhile, beyond the suspension of the head coach, the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has been hit with a massive total fine of $615,000.

This financial penalty includes $300,000 specifically for the improper conduct of fans, while another $300,000 was levied for the unsporting conduct of the team's players and technical staff.

In addition to the team-wide fines, individual players Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr have both been handed two-match bans for their behaviour toward the referee.

The federation was also ordered to pay a smaller fine of $15,000 after five of its players received yellow cards during the match. Despite these heavy punishments, Senegal remains the official AFCON champion, as appeals to overturn the match result were rejected.