Caf Fines, Expels Morocco From Afcon 2017 & 2019

Morocco have been banned from the next two editions of the Africa Cup
of Nations (Afcon) as punishment for failing to host this year's
tournament.

Following the Confederation of African Football (Caf) Executive
Committee (ExCo) meeting in Malabo on Friday, the Royal Moroccan
Football Federation (FRMF) has, in line with the competition rules,
been fined the sum of £650,000 ($US1m) and ordered to pay for damages
to the tune of about £6m (EURO 8.05m) for exercising a "Force majeure"in
football matter.

Morocco disclosed their unpreparedness to host Afcon 2015 as
originally scheduled towards the end of last year, maintaining her
request for postponement to 2016 because of concerns over the spread
of the Ebola virus.

(Photo: A Moroccan Player Vies for the Ball With Nigeria's Ejike
Uzoenyi During the 2014 Africa Nations Championship (CHAN).

Equatorial Guinea eventually stepped in as host nation and the Atlas
Lions were expelledfrom the tournament.

Caf had rejected their request with President Issa Hayatou saying " we
cannot sign our death warrant."

An edition of the Afcon has never been postponed or canceled since its
inception in 1957, despite the geopolitical challenges facing the
continent.

A Caf statement read: "The CAF Executive Committee decided to suspend
the national team of Morocco from the next two editions of the Africa
Cup of Nations, 2017 and 2019, and to impose on the federation the
regulatory fine of US$ 1 million (One million United States Dollars).

"By a separate measure to be borne by the Royal Moroccan Football
Federation the sum of eight million and fifty thousand euros (EURO 8.05m
million euros) in compensation for all material damage sustained by
CAF, stakeholders and partners as a result of the decision not to host
AFCON 2015."

Despite calling for postponement of Africa's showpiece event, Morocco
retained her hosting right for the 2014 Fifa Club World Cup in
December.

The 1988 Afcon hosts argued that the Club World Cup, unlike the Afcon,
attracts a relatively moderate influx of international supporters.

Meanwhile, World Health Oraganisation (WHO) health workers have been
conducting Ebola screening at entries into stadium venues in
Equatorial Guinea. There has been sponsored sensitisation campaigns
against the spread of the disease throughout host cities and at match
stadia.

Screening exercise involves taking fans' temperatures and giving
supporters sanitising gel as they make their ways into the stadium.