CAF Lifts The Suspension Of Ragragui... Officially

 The Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced the lifting of the suspension of Walid Regragui, the coach of the Moroccan national team, which means he has the right to be present in the technical area during his country’s match against South Africa on Tuesday in the round of 16 of the African Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire. CAF indicated yesterday, Sunday, that it partially supported the appeal submitted by the Moroccan Football Federation against the decision to suspend Regragui for four matches, suspended for two matches, after his involvement in the controversial events witnessed in the match of the Moroccan national team (the Atlas Lions) against the Democratic Republic of Congo last week in the group stage. For the African Cup of Nations. The CAF Appeals Board explained that it spared Regragui the penalty of suspension and a fine of five thousand dollars, but it supported the fine of $20,000 on both the Moroccan and Congolese Democratic Football Associations, in addition to an additional fine of ten thousand dollars against the Moroccan Football Federation due to the fans’ use of bombs. Smoke during the match, suspended for half of this fine. The Moroccan Football Federation had previously indicated that it would appeal against the “unfair decision” of CAF because Regragui “did not commit any behavior that violates the spirit of sportsmanship.” Press reports indicated that Chancel Mbemba, captain of the Democratic Congolese national team, accused Regragui of insulting him, but the latter denied his involvement in such a matter. Regragui said in a press conference, "The controversy over my use of racist words is unfortunate, and I will defend my reputation until the end." He added, "Unfortunately, with the presence of social media platforms, with what is happening in the world, with the hatred that can exist on both sides, I received racist messages and death threats. Unfortunately, I think the players also received that from their side. This shows that we have reached extremism in football matches." foot, which is unfortunate.” Regragui and Mbemba exchanged a heated argument after the match between Morocco and the Democratic Republic of Congo, which ended in a 1-1 draw last Sunday, before things escalated into a quarrel between the players and officials of the two teams, and the matter extended while the players left the field and while they went to the locker rooms. After the match, Mbemba told reporters that Regragui insulted him. “I never thought I would hear that word from the coach, come out of his mouth,” Mbemba explained. Regragui commented, "There were things that were said after the match that were not true. I did not insult the player." He explained, "What I did after the match, I do it all the time. There may have been tension, and I should have let the matter pass when the player did not look in my direction. From now on, I will shake the hand of the opposing team's coach and that's all."