Morocco’s football federation has announced plans to appeal disciplinary actions and fines levied by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) following the contentious Africa Cup of Nations final against Senegal on January 18. The federation criticized the sanctions as excessive relative to the “seriousness and gravity” of the events that transpired during the match, which Senegal won after extra time.
The final was clouded by a significant disruption, during which Senegalese players walked off the field in protest after a late goal was disallowed. In addition to Morocco, which faced sanctions totaling $315,000 for various disciplinary issues, Senegal also received penalties. However, Senegal’s football federation stated it would accept the rulings, demonstrating a commitment to adhering to CAF’s decisions.
The Moroccan federation’s appeal follows a prior attempt to overturn the match result that was rejected by CAF. The specific sanctions against Moroccan players included a three-match suspension and a $100,000 fine for forward Ismael Saibari due to “unsporting behavior.” Additionally, team captain Achraf Hakimi received a two-match suspension for his conduct during the challenging weather conditions, where he attempted to disrupt Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy by removing his towel.
This situation highlights the ongoing challenges in international football governance and sportsmanship, as well as the complexities involved when emotions run high in competitive matches. While Morocco seeks to contest the penalties, the incidents serve as a reminder of the importance of maintaining discipline on the pitch.