Morocco has opted to contest a decision that led to fines totaling $415,000 and match suspensions due to a tumultuous Africa Cup of Nations final, as stated by their federation on Tuesday.
Last month, CAF, the governing body of African football, imposed fines on both the host nation and Senegal following disturbances during the final held in the Moroccan capital.
Senegal emerged victorious with a 1-0 scoreline after extra time and chose not to challenge the ruling.
The Moroccan federation and national team player Ismael Saibari faced fines amounting to $415,000. Saibari, along with a teammate, also received match bans. During the final, ball boys attempted to take a towel from Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy, seemingly to distract him, an incident that resulted in a $200,000 fine for the host nation.
Morocco considers CAF’s penalties to be excessive in relation to the events that transpired.
“In light of the mismatch between these penalties and the nature and severity of the incidents (…), the FRMF has chosen to appeal these rulings,” the Moroccan federation stated.
The final was overshadowed by Senegalese players leaving the field in protest of a penalty awarded in stoppage time, along with fans trying to breach the pitch. Discontented visiting supporters hurled chairs and clashed with security personnel. Eighteen individuals are currently awaiting trial on charges of hooliganism.
CAF imposed a total of $715,000 in fines on the Senegalese football federation and national team coach Pape Thiaw. Additionally, match suspensions were handed down to Thiaw and two other players.
The match bans are limited to African competitions and do not affect the FIFA World Cup set to begin in June, which both Senegal and Morocco have qualified for.
Following the chaotic final, the focus shifted from the field to social media. In Morocco, human rights organizations cautioned against a rise in what they termed “hate speech toward sub-Saharan residents.”
In response, officials from both Morocco and Senegal urged for calm and aimed to reinforce the economic and diplomatic relations between their nations.
