Ismael Saibari and Achraf Hakimi have been handed heavy suspensions following the eventful Africa Cup final, after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) reviewed incidents that took place during and after the decisive match.
In the aftermath of the final, CAF’s disciplinary bodies looked into the behaviour of several players. Saibari and Hakimi were among those punished, with both receiving significant bans that will rule them out of upcoming international matches.
The sanctions were issued after a final marked by tension and multiple flashpoints. CAF has now confirmed the disciplinary decisions, underlining that the measures relate to actions seen as misconduct during the closing stages and the scenes that followed the final whistle.
The heavy bans mean Saibari and Hakimi will be unavailable for their national teams for the matches covered by the suspensions, a major blow ahead of the next international windows.
