Morocco will play 2017, 2019 African Nations Cup qualifiers; CAS sanctions lifted

The Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) has upheld in large part an appeal against Confederation of African Football (CAF) sanctions that would allow Morocco to play in 2017 and 2019 African Nations Cup qualifying.

CAS said in a statement that the suspension of the next two editions of the African Nations Cup is canceled and the fine imposed to the Royal Federation of Moroccan Football is reduced to 50,000 dollars.

CAF had barred Morocco from the 2015 edition, after the country refused to host the competition citing Ebola virus fears, and suspended them from the 2017 and 2019 editions while also imposing a fine of one million dollars, Stuff.co.nz reported. CAS has not ruled on CAF's claim for 9.1 million dollars in damages to itself and television and marketing partners for having to move this year's finals to Equatorial Guinea at late notice.

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The Swiss-based organization said that the question related to the compensation of the possible damage caused by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation to the CAF might still be examined by another jurisdiction. After Morocco was officially stripped of hosting rights two months earlier, CAF's executive committee had found the federation financially liable for costs.

Morocco appealed to CAS, sport's highest tribunal, and accused CAF of being against the development of the game in Africa by refusing them permission to participate in the 2017 and 2019 editions, the report added.