CAF President ’Saddened’ by Morocco’s Absence from CHAN 2023 in Algeria

The President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) said he was "saddened" by Morocco’s absence from the 7th edition of the African Championship of Local Players (CHAN 2023) being held in Algeria. "It saddens me. I want these young people (U23 team) to represent the Moroccan people, but also the Africans."

In a statement released on Thursday, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) regretted the lack of the final authorization that conditions the Moroccan national team’s travel. "I have spent these last few days doing everything in my power in my discussions with the Algerian government," said Patrice Motsepe. "We are committed to the spirit of African brotherhood and want to work together in the context of football and to show the best side of African football."

The CAF president says he regrets the intrusion of politics into football. "We are not politicians. We don’t want politics to enter football. We must humbly use football to unite peoples and we will succeed no matter how long it takes, even for years. We continue to work and we are all concerned."

On Friday, the Moroccan delegation was at Rabat-Salé airport hoping for Algeria’s authorization, which never came. The president of the FRMF, Fouzi Lekjaa, condemns a "deplorable act" that prevents Morocco from defending its title.