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The African football federation CAF has suspended Moroccan international Ismael Saibari for three matches for his involvement in the towel incident during the Africa Cup final,a week and a half ago. He must also pay a fine of $100,000.
During the final against Senegal, Moroccan players and ball boys tried to take the towel from Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy. Mendy used the towel to dry his gloves during the rain-soaked final.
After Saibari was substituted in the 90th minute, he stood next to the Senegal goal to try to prevent reserve goalkeeper Yehvann Diouf from giving a new towel to first-choice goalkeeper mendy.
See footage of the towel incident below:
For his role in this action, the PSV player, who later apologized for his behavior, has been suspended for three international matches under the flag of the African football federation. Captain Achraf Hakimi also threw the opponent’s towel over the advertising boards in the final. He has been suspended for two matches, one of which is conditional.
Heavy penalties for Senegal
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CAF has suspended Senegal coach Pape Thiaw for five matches for ‘unsportsmanlike conduct’ during the final.He must also pay a fine of $100,000.
Thiaw receives the penalty because he had instructed his players to leave the field in the final.
Dutch Government Survives No-Confidence Vote Over Asylum Policy
The Dutch government, led by Prime Minister Mark Rutte, narrowly survived a motion of no confidence on January 29, 2026, triggered by ongoing disputes over its asylum policy and the handling of the refugee crisis. The vote,held in the House of Representatives,passed 76-74 against the motion,preserving the current coalition government.
Background to the Crisis
The no-confidence motion stemmed from growing criticism of the government’s approach to accommodating asylum seekers, particularly regarding overcrowded reception centers and delays in processing applications. Opposition parties argued the situation constituted a failure of governance and demanded accountability. Specifically, concerns centered around the reception capacity, which fell short of the number of asylum applications received in late 2025 and early 2026. The VVD (People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy), D66 (Democrats 66), CDA (Christian Democratic Appeal), and SGP (States General Party) formed the governing coalition.
Key Arguments and Debate
During the parliamentary debate, opposition leaders accused the government of mismanaging the influx of asylum seekers and failing to provide adequate living conditions. They pointed to reports from the Council for Refugees detailing inadequate sanitation, healthcare access, and security within reception centers. The Socialist Party (SP) and the Party for Freedom (PVV) were particularly vocal in their criticism. Prime Minister Rutte defended his government’s actions, stating that the situation was a result of unforeseen circumstances and increased international migration flows. He emphasized the government’s efforts to increase reception capacity and expedite asylum procedures, but acknowledged the challenges were notable. He also highlighted the government’s commitment to European cooperation on asylum policy.
Vote Outcome and Aftermath
The vote was exceptionally close, with several MPs from smaller coalition parties expressing reservations. Ultimately, the government secured enough support to defeat the motion. Following the vote, Prime Minister Rutte stated his commitment to addressing the concerns raised by the opposition and improving the asylum process. He announced a plan to allocate an additional €200 million to increase reception capacity and hire more personnel to process asylum applications. This funding was detailed in a press release from the Ministry of Justice and Security on january 29,2026. https://www.government.nl/documents/press-releases/2026/01/29/additional-funding-for-asylum-reception
Impact on Coalition Stability
While the government survived the vote, the close result underscores the fragility of the coalition. The near-defeat highlights deep divisions within the parliament regarding asylum policy. Analysts predict that the government will face continued scrutiny and potential challenges to its authority in the coming months. The Council of State, the Netherlands’ highest advisory body, issued a report on January 22, 2026, outlining systemic issues within the asylum application process. https://www.raadvanstate.nl/publicaties/adviezen/2026/asylum-application-process The report’s findings contributed to the pressure on the government and fueled the no-confidence motion.
