The African Football Confederation (CAF) Disciplinary Board rendered its decision on the post-match clash between the Morocco and DR Congo teams at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), on Wednesday, after concluding the investigation it had initiated on Tuesday.
The Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), the Congolese Football Federation (FECOFA), and Morocco’s team Coach Walid Regragui all received sanctions, including fines and in Regragui’s case a suspension.
The CAF fined FRMF $30,000, $10,000 of which was for Moroccan supporters’ use of smoke bombs, with $5000 suspended.
Coach Regragui received a four-match suspension, two of them suspended for one year, and a fine of $5,000. The FECOFA also received a $20,000 fine.
CAF noted that its decision will become enforceable upon the expiration of the appeal deadline, in accordance with the CAF Disciplinary Code.
The Moroccan Federation swiftly responded after the decision to suspend Regragui, objecting to CAF’s verdict in a strongly worded press release.
The Federation refuted the claims that Coach Regragui had engaged in misconduct and called the decision “unjust,” vowing it would appeal and arguing that the coach had not violated standards of fair play.
The Sunday match, which ended in a 1-1 tie, devolved into chaos as a post-match brawl broke out.
On Monday, the FRMF tried to defuse tensions by emphasizing historical relations with DR Congo, while FECOFA described Moroccan players’ actions as “assaults.”
Coach Regragui, regretful of the incident, attributed it to adrenaline and acknowledged the failure of both teams to uphold a positive image in a press conference after the incident.
Congolese captain Mbemba, while suggesting he “preferred silence,” hinted at insults and expressed surprise at hearing certain words from the Moroccan coach.