The Royal Moroccan Football Federation announced that it is escalating its official stance towards the Confederation of African Football (CAF), confirming its intention to appeal the sanctions imposed by CAF’s Disciplinary Committee following the events that marred the Africa Cup of Nations final against Senegal, which was held in the Moroccan capital, Rabat.
This Moroccan decision comes after careful consideration of the sanctions, which the Moroccan Football Federation described in its statement as "disproportionate to the gravity and seriousness of the events" that occurred, indicating that the Senegalese side bears significant responsibility for the chaos. Conversely, the Senegalese Football Federation had previously announced its acceptance of the sanctions and its intention not to appeal, thus placing the two federations' decisions on opposing paths.
Background of events and context of tension
The roots of the issue lie in the final match between Morocco and Senegal, which was more than just a sporting competition; it devolved into a scene of extreme tension. The match, held on January 18th, witnessed dramatic moments, beginning with Senegalese players threatening to walk off the pitch in protest against refereeing decisions, leading to a fifteen-minute stoppage. This action itself constitutes a serious breach of sporting regulations, which emphasize the necessity of respecting the referee's decisions and completing matches. Furthermore, the match saw a pitch invasion by Senegalese fans, sparking chaos and rioting that threatened the safety of the players and coaching staff.
Details of the sanctions issued by CAF
Following an investigation into the incidents, the CAF Disciplinary Committee issued a series of financial and administrative sanctions against both parties. On the Senegalese side, coach Pape Thiaw was suspended for five matches and fined $100,000, while players Eliamin Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr were suspended for two matches each. The Senegalese Football Federation was also fined $600,000 for the behavior of its fans and players. On the Moroccan side, captain Achraf Hakimi received a two-match suspension (one match suspended), and Ismail Saïbaré was suspended for three matches and fined $100,000. The Royal Moroccan Football Federation was also fined $300,000 for the conduct of its ball boys and players towards the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) area.
The importance of the appeal and its potential impact
Morocco's decision to appeal is not merely about seeking a reduction of the sanctions imposed on it, but primarily aims to reassess the other party's responsibility in the events. Moroccan officials believe that the threat of withdrawal and the pitch invasion were the most serious of all, and that the sanctions did not reflect this reality. This appeal is particularly significant given the intense sporting rivalry between Morocco and Senegal, two of the continent's major footballing powers. The outcome of this appeal will set an important precedent in how CAF deals with such incidents in the future and will impact the image of African football, which strives to establish the principles of fair play and professionalism, especially as Morocco prepares to host major international football events, most notably the 2030 World Cup.
The African and Arab sports community awaits the decision of the CAF Appeals Committee, which will not only determine the fate of the sanctions, but will also send a clear message about the seriousness of the continental federation in applying its disciplinary regulations firmly and fairly to everyone, in order to preserve the integrity and reputation of the game in the African continent.
