The Atlas lions of Morocco, have failed to show up for their first Group C game at the 2022 African Nations Championship ongoing in Algeria.
Defending Champions Morocco, were to take on Sudan as from 4pm on Sunday at the Mohamed-Hamlaoui stadium in Constantine, but did not show up at match time.
Their opponents Sudan, answered present and had completed pre_match formalities for the game to kick off, but Morocco was nowhere in sight.
The officiating team headed by Cameroon’s Ngwa Blaise, had no choice but to return back to the change room.
Understanding Morocco’s situation
Earlier, the Atlas lions had confirmed that they will not be travelling to Algeria for the competition, should Algerian authorities fail to grant authorization for them to use a direct flight from Rabat to Constantine.
As a matter of fact, Morocco and Algeria are neighboring countries, but a diplomatic dispute led to the cancellation of direct flights between both countries.
It was later reported that a solution has been found and Morocco was to travel to Algeria on Friday, though reportedly with their U23 National team, but finally they didn’t make the journey.
Matters got worst
The situation became worst again on Friday night during the opening ceremony of the competition and during the first game pitting Algeria against Libya.
Moroccan authorities claimed there were racist chants towards them from the Algerian fans.
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation on Saturday in a strong worded Communiqué, denounced and condemned the act which they termed “malicious and despicable maneuvers,” and sent a correspondent to CAF, calling on the Confederation of African Football to assume all responsibilities for these flagrant transgression which they say have no connection with football.
CAF on their part, on Sunday made an official statement stating that, “CAF is under an obligation and a duty, in accordance with its Regulations and Statutes and those of FIFA not to participate or get involved in politics and to be neutral on matters of a political nature.”
“These political statements are not the statements of CAF and do not reflect the views or opinions of CAF as a politically neutral organisation.
“CAF will investigate and look into the political statements and events at the opening ceremony of the TotalEnergies CHAN Algeria 2022 and assess whether there was compliance with the CAF and FIFA Regulations and Statutes. CAF will give an update in this regard in due course,” CAF added.
It is still to be know exactly what will happen with Group C of CHAN 2022, which seemingly now has just three teams, Sudan, Ghana and Madagascar.
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