The Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) has announced that it will submit its appeal to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Disciplinary Committee for its punishment of Morocco with fines and player suspensions.
Morocco had lost to Senegal 0-1 in extra time in a highly contentious final that was marred by chaos and a 14-minute delay on January 18, when Senegal players abandoned the field in protest over VAR, leading to the supporters invading the pitch and several scuffles involving players and officials.
CAF’s Disciplinary Committee slapped a 5-match suspension on the Senegalese coach, Pape Thiaw, and fined him $100,000 when he reportedly demanded his players leave the pitch after a late goal was ruled offside. The Senegalese football federation was also fined $615,000 due to the behavior of its players and fans, while Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr got 2-match bans for showing disrespect to the referee.
Morocco was levied a fine amounting to $315,000 for the impolite behavior of players, staff, and supporters, including the use of laser pointers and interference in the VAR room. Team Captain Achraf Hakimi was given a two-match ban, out of which one is suspended and Ismael Saibari will miss a total of three games.
Through a press release, the FRMF accused the measures of being excessive and declared that an appeal to the CAF Disciplinary Committee was going to be made in order to defend the rights of the Moroccan people, especially in view of the provocation by the Senegalese players and fans. Despite the dispute, the CAF deemed the event of this edition successful and referred to the record turnover.
