Morocco has rejected the sanctions leveled against them by the Confederation of African Football (Caf) for not hosting the 2015 African Cup of Nations (Afcon).
Caf banned Morocco from the next two editions of the Nation Cup tournaments, as well as imposing a fine of £650,000 ($US1m) on its federation, while claiming damages to the tune of about £6m (€8.05m).
The Royal Football Federation of Moroccan Football (FRMF) said it “rejects all these sporting and financial sanctions,” and added that they are not enforced by “statutory basis.”
Equatorial Guinea stepped in as hosts of the 2015 finals, which was concluded on Sunday, after Caf refused to heed to Morocco’s request for postponement over the country’s fears about a potential spread of the Ebola virus.
The tournament, which was won by Cote d’Ivoire, however ended without any single diagnosis of the dreaded virus, prompting the African Union (AU) to specifically commend the host nation and Caf for a job well done.
The FRMF said on its website: “The executive committee has expressed great surprise to the decisions taken by Caf. They do not correspond in any way to the conclusions of the previous meeting with the president of Caf (Issa Hayatou) in Cairo.”
It would “take all necessary steps and measures to uphold the rights and interests of Moroccan football,” the statement added.
