Morocco’s Football Sanctions Overturned by CAS: A Triumph for the Atlas Lions
Morocco has received a major boost after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) overturned the sanctions imposed by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) following the country’s withdrawal from hosting the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN). With the annulment of the sanctions, Morocco will be eligible to participate in the 2017 and 2019 CAN qualifiers.
The CAS ruling stated, “The sanctions imposed by CAF on the FRMF (Royal Moroccan Football Federation) have been annulled, with the exception of the fine, which is reduced to USD 50,000.” The decision comes as a relief to Moroccan football, especially after the country’s exclusion from the 2015 tournament due to the CAF’s disciplinary actions.
This decision has been celebrated across Morocco, with players and fans expressing their joy. Mehdi Benatia, Morocco’s standout player at the Golden Mars Awards, took to Twitter to express his happiness: “One, two, three…..four #Morocco is stronger.”
With this ruling, Morocco’s return to continental competition is now secure, much to the relief of the players and football fans in the kingdom.
