Morocco cut from CAN

Morocco was stripped of hosting the Orange Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) and barred from participating in the event, the African Football Confederation (CAF) announced on Tuesday (November 11th).

The decision was announced after a six-hour meeting of the CAF executive committee at its Cairo headquarters, AFP reported.

CAF indicated that the Moroccan Football Federation could be hit by further sanctions, notably financial.

Morocco had asked to postpone the tournament due to fears over the Ebola epidemic.

CAF called on the Moroccans to change their minds, but decided at Tuesday’s meeting that the response they had been given “clearly indicates that the Royal Moroccan Football Federation reiterated its refusal to hold the competition on the dates indicated”.

CAF said that other countries had indicated a willingness to host the tournament. Algeria, Egypt, South Africa and Sudan reportedly declined, while Ghana and Nigeria have not publicly responded.

African’s most prestigious football tournament will run from January 17th-February 9th. Qualification matches on November 14th-15th will decide which 15 teams will join the new host country for the finals.

magharibiya