RABAT, Morocco (AP) – Morocco has decided to appeal a judgment that imposed a $415,000 fine and a $415,000 fine. Game prohibited Because of Chaotic Africa Cup of Nations finalThe soccer federation announced on Tuesday.
African football’s governing body, CAF, last month fined the hosts and Senegal for disturbances at the final in Morocco’s capital.
Senegal won 1-0 after extra time. The court decided not to appeal this judgment.
The Moroccan federation and national team player Ismael Saibari were fined a total of $415,000. Saibari and his teammates were also banned from playing. During the final, ball boys apparently tried to seize Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy’s towel in an attempt to distract him, an incident that alone resulted in a $200,000 fine for the organizers.
Morocco considers the CAF sanctions to be disproportionate to the incident.
“Given the incompatibility of these sanctions with the scale and seriousness of the incident (…), the FRMF has decided to appeal against these decisions,” the Moroccan Football Federation said in a statement.
The final was marred by Senegalese players who left the field in protest of a stoppage-time penalty and by fans who tried to storm onto the pitch. Enraged visiting supporters threw chairs and clashed with the stewards. Eighteen people are awaiting trial on hooligan charges.
CAF fined the Senegalese Football Federation and national team coach Pape Tiao a total of $715,000. Thiau was also suspended from playing in the match, and two other players were also suspended.
The match ban applies only to African matches and does not apply to the World Cup, which begins in June, when Senegal and Morocco have qualified.
After the eventful final, tensions moved from the pitch to social media. In Morocco, human rights groups warned against a surge in what they called “hate speech against sub-Saharan populations.”
In response, Moroccan and Senegalese officials Seeking calmness, He also sought to reaffirm the economic and diplomatic relations between the two countries.
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