Mehdi Benabid, goalkeeper for Fath Union Sport and the Moroccan Olympic team, has been handed a three-month suspension by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) following an incident during last September’s Olympic qualifying match against Mali. The disciplinary action comes after Benabid was found to have assaulted Gambian referee Omar Sallah during the fixture.
The match, part of the qualifiers for the 2020 Olympic Games, ended in a 1-0 defeat for Morocco. The Young Lions’ elimination was compounded by controversy over a penalty decision that proved decisive in Mali’s victory. Benabid’s conduct during the game drew the attention of CAF’s Disciplinary Committee, which launched an investigation into the alleged assault on the referee.
As a result of the ruling, the suspension applies to all competitions, meaning Benabid will be sidelined for both Fath Union Sport matches and national team fixtures for the duration of three months. This disciplinary measure underscores CAF’s strict stance on player behavior and the protection of match officials across African football.
The suspension represents a significant setback for Benabid, who has been an important figure for both his club and the Moroccan Olympic squad. His absence will require adjustments for FUS in goal, as the team navigates upcoming domestic fixtures without their first-choice goalkeeper. At the national level, the Moroccan Olympic team will also have to seek alternatives as they continue their preparations for future competitions.
CAF’s decision serves as a reminder of the importance of discipline and respect on the field, particularly in high-stakes matches such as Olympic qualifiers. Benabid’s suspension will remain in effect until the conclusion of the three-month period, during which he will be barred from participating in all official matches under CAF jurisdiction.
