Morocco’s football federation is weighing an appeal against disciplinary sanctions imposed by the Confederation of African Football following chaotic scenes that marred the final of the most recent Africa Cup of Nations between Morocco and Senegal.
A Hesport source familiar with the matter said the Royal Moroccan Football Federation is reviewing CAF’s decisions from all legal and sporting angles before announcing its final position, noting that the penalties failed to fairly reflect Morocco’s grievances and were viewed as lenient toward members of Senegal’s national team.
According to the source, the federation is leaning toward filing a formal appeal within the timeframe allowed by CAF regulations. If its demands are not adequately addressed, Morocco is prepared to take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, the source said, to defend what it considers the national team’s rights in an incident that overshadowed the 35th edition of Africa’s flagship tournament and disrupted the match’s normal course.
CAF said in a statement that the sanctions were issued for violations of sporting conduct and fair-play principles during the final.
Under the disciplinary rulings, Senegal coach Pape Bouna Thiaw was suspended for five official matches and fined $100,000. Senegalese players Elimane Cheikh Barrow Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr were each banned for two matches for unsporting behavior.
CAF also fined the Senegalese Football Federation $615,000, citing misconduct by supporters, inappropriate behavior by players and technical staff, and an excessive number of yellow cards during the match.
Morocco was also sanctioned. Defender Achraf Hakimi received a two-match suspension, with one match suspended for a probationary period of one year. Midfielder Ismaila Saibari was banned for three matches and fined $100,000.
CAF imposed an additional $315,000 fine on the Moroccan federation over what it described as improper conduct by ball boys, the intrusion of players and staff into the video assistant referee area, and the use of laser devices by Moroccan supporters during the final.
The CAF disciplinary committee also rejected a complaint filed by Morocco against the Senegalese federation, which had sought further sanctions under articles 82 and 84 of the Africa Cup of Nations regulations.
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