CAF has banned Morocco from next year’s Africa Cup and the continental soccer governing body has announced that it will announce a new host for the continent’s premier championship which goes ahead as scheduled from 17 January to 8th February.
According to a statement released by CAF in Cairo, the Organising Committee of the Africa Cup of Nations will mete out further punishment on the Moroccans who cited Ebola as the reason to postpone it.
“At its meeting on 11th November 2014 in Cairo, the Executive Committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has taken note of the response of the Minister of Youth and Sports of the Kingdom of Morocco in a letter dated 8 November 2014 requesting the postponement of the Orange Africa Cup of Nations in 2015,” the CAF statement read adding: ” This response clearly indicates that the Royal Moroccan Football Federation reiterated its refusal to hold the competition on the dates indicated (January 17-February 8, 2015).”
“Therefore, having firmly and unanimously notified on 3 November its decision to keep the competition on the dates indicated, the Executive Committee confirmed that the Orange Africa Cup of Nations 2015 will not take place in Morocco.”
“Accordingly, and following the refusal of the Moroccan party, the Executive Committee decides that the national team of Morocco is automatically disqualified and will not take part in the 30th edition of the Orange Africa Cup of Nations in 2015,” CAF said.
The statement further confirmed the continuation of qualifiers match-days 5 & 6, which will be held during the month (14/15 November and 19 November), paving the way for the qualification of the 15 teams that will be joining the team of the host country.