TheCable

Nourredine Bouchhati, Morocco federation vice-president has welcomed the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) verdict to lift the ban imposed by Confederation of African Football (CAF) on the North African country, as they are now cleared to play in the next two Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Morocco won their appeal against their bans from the 2017 and 2019 AFCON tournaments by CAF after they did not host the 2015 edition.

CAS have also reduced a fine imposed on Morocco’s FA (FRMF) from US$1m to $50,000.

Bouchhati now wants the Atlas Lions to immediately begin preparing for the 2017 AFCON.

“It puts an end for now to this conflict with the CAF, with which we will continue to work with normally,” Bouchhati told local media.

“Now we will meet with national coach Baddou Zaki to begin our programme of preparations.”

However, CAF’s order for FRMF to pay 8m euros (US$8.7m, £5.85m) in damages “may be examined by another jurisdiction” according to CAS.

CAF imposed the fine after claiming to have suffered losses because of the relocation of the 2015 AFCON from Morocco to Equatorial Guinea – only two months to the tournament.

Morocco had called for a postponement of the competition because of the outbreak of Ebola in some West African countries, but their request was rejected by CAF.

The continental soccer body moved the event to Equatorial Guinea and expelled Morocco from taking part.