The Royal Moroccan Federation have been cleared of any blame by the CAF Disciplinary Board following the federation’s inability to send its home-based national team to Algeria at the African Nations Championship which ended last month.
According to a press release by CAF, ‘the Royal Moroccan Federation was unable to travel and participate in the CHAN due to circumstances totally beyond their control, and as such no sanction of whatsoever nature is imposed on the Royal Moroccan Federation.’
The Disciplinary Committee remarked that it based its findings on deliberations and examination of evidence including a number of correspondences between Algeria, Morocco and CAF.
“In view of the aforementioned finding, the Disciplinary Board dismissed the Algerian Football Federation’s claim for damages.”, the report concluded.
In a related issue in which a grandson of the late Nelson Mandela, Zwelivelile Mandela, made volatile political statements against Morocco at the opening ceremony of the tournament, the Disciplinary Committee decided not to sanction Algeria.
The Disciplinary Board considered that it should not find vicarious liability on Algeria Football Federation, and that the provisions of strict liability could not have been foreseen and should not apply arising out of the statement made by Zwelivelile Mandela during the opening ceremony of CHAN.
However, the Disciplinary Board issued a formal reminder to all National Associations inclusive of that of Algeria, to be aware that the provisions of vicarious liability and strict liability may in future be applied as a result of any political or other statements issued at a formal CAF competition or event which may be made by a third party.