By Andrew Warshaw
April 4 – In a stunning victory for a national association over its confederation, Morocco has won its appeal against being thrown out of the next two African Nations Cup tournaments. The sanction was imposed by the Confederation of African Football after Morocco refused to host this year’s event in January because of fears over the spread of the Ebola virus.
But the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) came down in Morocco’s favour by overturning the ban – and also cut the $1 million fine imposed to a mere $50,000.
Morocco had protested that it had to call off hosting until June on orders from the country’s health ministry but CAF refused to allow a postponement and switched the finals to Equatorial Guinea.
Although CAS said Morocco’s action was not totally necessary, it found the sanctions imposed were draconian and took into account the fact that Morocco had already been punished in having its own team expelled from the tournament.
CAS did not rule, however, on CAF’s claim for €8 million in damages for having to relocate this year’s finals with just two months’ notice.
“The question related to the compensation of the possible damage caused by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation to the CAF may still be examined by another jurisdiction,” said CAS.
The ruling is a massive blow to CAF’s all-powerful president Issa Hayatou (pictured) who had taken a hardline stance and whose appearance at his confederation’s forthcoming Congress will now be somewhat more awkward than anticipated.
After winning the appeal, Moroccan federation vice-president Nourredine Bouchhati commented: “It puts an end for now to this conflict with CAF, with which we will continue to work with normally.”
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