CHAN 2024: CAF Fines Morocco for Improper Conduct During Harambee Stars Win
- Morocco have been fined by the Confédération of African Football (CAF) following the incidents during their game against Kenya
- Much has been said about Kenya's inability to control the crowd effectively at Kasarani Stadium, but their opponents are also in trouble
- CAF has strongly reiterated that the laid-down procedures must be followed, cutting down Kasarani Stadium's capacity to just 27,000
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Morocco have not been spared in the latest round of fines from the Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF).
Source: UGC
Kenya has been the hardest hit following the numerous crowd trouble witnessed at the Kasarani Stadium on Sunday.
Kenya slapped with KSh 6.4 million fine
Security officials failed to control the overzealous fans who stormed the barricades, jumped over walls and accessed the stadium without tickets.
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The 48,000-seater capacity stadium was packed to the rafters with many fans sitting on the stairs and others standing up, contrary to CAF's rules on Safety and Regulations.
Kenya, who had already been fined after games against DR Congo and Angola, will now be forced to fork out another KSh 6.4 million, payable within 60 days.
"Kenya was warned that continued failure to meet CAF safety and security requirements may lead to the relocation of Kenya’s National Team matches to an alternative venue. Kenya was advised to increase security measures by deploying sufficient personnel within the perimeter of the stadium as well as adhering to the road closures on match days," read the statement from CAF.
Why has Morocco been fined?
In the same game, the Moroccan Football Federation will also have to pay a USD 5,000 fine (KSh 647,000), half of which is suspended, for failing to control its players.
The Atlas Lions were spotted surrounding the referee on more than one occasion as Benni McCarthy's tactics continued to frustrate them.
Morocco failed to break down a 10-man Harambee Stars, leading to the players' frustrations.
Goalkeeper El Mehdi Al Harrar was shown a yellow card after racing nearly to the centre of the pitch to question the referee.
Source: Getty Images
Four Moroccan players in total were booked
"The CAF Disciplinary Board charged the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (“FRMF”) with the inappropriate conduct of its players during Morocco’s TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (“CHAN”) match against Kenya," said CAF.
"The Disciplinary Board found Morocco guilty and imposed a fine of USD 5,000, of which USD 2,500 is suspended on condition that no similar offence is committed during the remainder of CHAN 2024."
Zambia fined by CAF
Apart from Morocco and Kenya, Zambia have also been fined after their head coach failed to appear for a press conference.
TUKO.co.ke had earlier reported that the Chipolopolo head coach Avram Grant was a no-show for his scheduled press conference with journalists ahead of Zambia's game against DR Congo.
Zambia instead sent Grant's assistant coach, which is against CAF's rules.
"The CAF Disciplinary Board charged Football Association of Zambia (“FAZ”) with breaching CAF’s Media Regulations during the Match Day-1 Press Conference ahead of their TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (“CHAN”) match against the Democratic Republic of Congo."
Zambia failed to present the head coach at the mandatory Press Conference. The Disciplinary Board found Zambia guilty and imposed a fine of USD 5,000."
What next for Morocco and Zambia?
Both countries are living precariously and will be eliminated if they don't win their next games.
Morocco has three points after beating Angola on the opening day, while Zambia has zero after losing to DR Congo and Angola.
They will face off at the Nyayo National Stadium on Thursday evening, looking to boost their qualification chances.
Afterwards, Morocco will play DR Congo on Sunday while Zambia take on hosts Kenya.
Kenya releases statement after CAF fine
The Local Organising Committee in Kenya released a stern statement, urging fans not to throw the game into disrepute.
The LOC, led by former CECAFA president Nicolas Musonye, promised that the security officials would leave no stone unturned on Sunday vs Zambia.
The Football Kenya Federation has also promised to set up watch zones across the city for fans who missed out on tickets.
Proofreading by Asher Omondi, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
