Morocco-Algeria: CAF opts for a King Solomon judgment

Neither the Royal Moroccan Football Federation nor the Algerian Football Federation have been sanctioned by CAF after the events that took place during the last African Nations Championship (CHAN).

Status quo. While the Algerian and Moroccan football federations hoped for sanctions for the facts that took place during the African Nations Championship (CHAN), the Confederation of African Football (CAF) preferred to kick in touch. The body's disciplinary jury met to rule on the events. On the one hand, it was necessary to decide on a possible sanction for the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), which had decided to not having his team travel after a delay in the flight authorization issued by the Algerian authorities. Algiers had ensured that it had done what was necessary for Moroccan players to be able to travel to the host country of CHAN, while Rabat had chosen to charter a direct Royal Air Maroc flight.

Circumstances beyond Morocco's control

After studying the case, CAF finally concluded that "the Royal Moroccan Football Federation was unable to travel and participate in CHAN due to circumstances totally beyond its control", indicates a press release from the body. continental. “After deliberations and examination of the evidence, including a number of correspondence between Algeria, Morocco and CAF, the disciplinary panel concluded that the Royal Moroccan Football Federation was unable to travel and participate to CHAN due to circumstances totally beyond its control", continues the CAF which therefore writes that "no sanction of any kind whatsoever is imposed" on the FRMF. While it had requested damages from the Algerian Football Federation (FAF), the FRMF, on the other hand, was denied its request.

A consensual decision to say the least. Because, even if the wrongs are shared, the FRMF incurred very heavy sanctions, according to the CHAN regulations. Article 80 of the latter stipulates that "a withdrawal declared less than twenty days before the start of the final competition or during it, will result in addition to the loss of the right of entry, a fine of 150 US dollars as well as the suspension of the association concerned for the following two editions of the African Nations Championship, except in cases of force majeure as defined by the CAF organizing committee”.

No sanctions for comments on Western Sahara

Another case was to be studied by the CAF disciplinary panel, after an appeal lodged by the latter following a letter from the FRMF: during the opening ceremony of CHAN, on January 13, Zwelivelile Mandla Mandela, son of Nelson Mandela, had declared that "one last colony is present in Africa: Western Sahara" and deplored the "oppression" of Morocco in this region. The FRMF had immediately asked for "measures and provisions" to sanction Algeria, as well as an independent "emergency" investigation. The CAF, it, had recalled that the political remarks were prohibited during the sports competitions which it organizes.

Again, the disciplinary jury of the instance preferred the status quo. He considered "that he should not hold vicarious liability to the Algerian Football Federation, and that the provisions of strict liability could not be foreseen and should not apply after the declaration made by Mr. Zwelivelile Mandela during the opening ceremony of CHAN”. In other words, grandson Mandela acted without the knowledge of the FAF. CAF decided, simply, to issue "a formal reminder to all national associations, including the FAF, to be aware that the provisions of vicarious liability and strict liability may at future be applied following any political or other declaration made by a third party during a competition or an official event of CAF”.