CAF axes Cote d’Ivoire, Mali, Senegal over AFCON 2023

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has sanctioned the host of the just-concluded Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Cote d’Ivoire, as well as Mali and Senegal over various offences.

CAF, however, exonerated runners-up, Nigeria, in the recent CAF disciplinary board outcomes on various matters released on Monday at the end of the AFCON tournament.

CAF Disciplinary Board had met to deliberate on several matters involving the tournament.

One of the focus matches was Match No. 47, featuring Mali vs Côte d’Ivoire, played on February 3, 2024.

What did CAF decide?

The Fédération Malienne de Football was charged with misconduct following unsporting behavior of its players towards the match official.

In its Monday summary report, the Disciplinary Board found the player Hamari Traore guilty of unsporting conduct towards the match official.

Traore was suspended for four matches, two of which are suspended for a period of one year.

The Fédération Malienne de Football was also fined 10,000 US Dollars.

The Fédération Ivoirienne de Football was also charged with team’s misconduct. They were fined 5,000 US Dollars.

Following Match No. 42, Senegal vs Côte d’Ivoire, played on January 29, 2024, Krepin Diatta was also axed.

He was accused of bringing CAF into disrepute following comments made after the match between Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire.

The Disciplinary Board found the player Diatta guilty and he was suspended for four matches, two of which are suspended for a period of one year.

He was also fined 10,000 US Dollars.

The Fédération Sénégalaise de Football was also charged with team’s misconduct and fined 5,000 US Dollars.

What about local clubs?

In the CAF Confederation Cup match between Hilal SC (Libya) vs Future FC (Egypt) played on December 03, 2023, CAF Disciplinary Board decided as follows:

• Al Hilal SC (Libya) was charged with misconduct following incidents involving unruly spectators during their match against Future FC (Egypt).
• They were found guilty and will play their next two CAF Inter Club matches behind closed doors.
• Al Hilal SC was also fined 15,000 US Dollars.

CAF, meanwhile, cleared the three-time African champions, Super Eagles players, of any wrongdoing.

Super Eagles, it could be recalled, played 7 matches, secured 5 victories, drew one and lost one to hosts in the final.

Nigeria maintained an unbeaten streak in their first six matches, only succumbing to a 2-1 defeat to Cote d’Ivoire.

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