He ultimately only served half of his sentence. Initially suspended for four matches, two of which were suspended, after his altercation with Chancel Mbemba during the second day of the CAN group matches, Walid Regragui, the coach of the Moroccan selection, saw his suspension lifted this Friday.
“The Appeal Committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has overturned the sanction that the Disciplinary Committee had previously imposed on the national coach, Mr. Walid Regragui, including a financial fine after hearing the pleas,” it said. the Royal Moroccan Football Federation in a press release shared on social networks.
CAF reduced Walid Regragui’s sanction ???????? allowing him to participate in the round of 16 against South Africa ????????
In addition, his personal fine increases from $5,000 to $500. pic.twitter.com/2Fi1TdUEiz— African Cup of Nations 2023 ???????????? (@CAN2023off) January 26, 2024
The boss of the Atlas Lions clashed with the player from the Democratic Republic of Congo at the end of the draw between the two teams (1-1), during the group stage. Tension had risen sharply between the two men who had to be separated.
In the process, Walid Regragui defended himself from having made racist remarks, as Chancel Mbemba had insinuated. And his federation appealed the sanction issued by CAF. “The Royal Moroccan Football Federation has decided to appeal this incomprehensible decision due to the fact that coach Regragui has not violated the spirit of fair play at any time,” she said in a press release.
Thanks to this decision, the technician should therefore be on the Morocco bench for the round of 16 of the African Cup of Nations against South Africa. The match kicks off Tuesday evening at 9 p.m.
