The Congolese Football Federation (FECOFA) has taken a decisive step by filing an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), challenging the decision of the African Football Confederation (CAF) Appeal Board to lift the sanctions previously imposed upon Moroccan coach Walid Regragui, according to a statement issued on Monday.
In its press release, FECOFA highlighted a supposed detailed “confession” by Regragui and vowed to pursue the matter at the CAS, descrying “apparent injustice” in the decision-making process.
FECOFA’s appeal comes in the wake of a post-match clash between the Morocco and DR Congo teams during the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) that began with an altercation involving Regragui and Congo’s captain Chancel Mbemba, leading to sanctions imposed by CAF.
The CAF Disciplinary Board imposed fines on the Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), FECOFA, and suspended Coach Regragui after an investigation.
The FRMF subsequently appealed the “unjust” decision, asserting that Regragui had not breached fair play standards, which appeal resulted in the lifting of all sanctions against him, including a four-match suspension and a $5,000 fine, prompting objection from FECOFA.
On Jan. 21, at the end of the 1-1 draw match, tensions exploded, resulting in chaos on the field. Due to a broadcast interruption, it is unclear what happened during the subsequent confrontations in the corridor, though social media footage showed Moroccan player Youssef En-Nesyri following Mbemba and shouting about “disrespecting” Regragui.
The FRMF attempted to ease the situation the next day in a statement focusing on historically good relations with DR Congo, but the FECOFA backed its captain, who hinted at insults and expressed surprise at hearing certain words from the Moroccan coach in a post-match statement to the press, calling the Moroccan players’ actions “assaults.”