Morocco Barred from CHAN 2023, Federation Chief Calls Exclusion ’Deplorable’

The Algerian authorities maintained their position, refusing to grant a flight authorization to the Royal Air Maroc plane that was to transport the Atlas Cubs to Constantine. As a result, Morocco is unable to defend its title, despite the preparation of the players.

Reacting to this refusal, the president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), Fouzi Lekjaa, denounced a "deplorable act." "It is really deplorable to deprive young players who have prepared for a month to participate in this African sports competition," said the boss of Moroccan football to the press. And he added that "the Moroccan team had arrived on Friday morning at the Rabat-Salé airport, with a view to flying to Constantine to play in this tournament."

He spoke on the sidelines of the reception of the presidents of FIFA and CAF, Gianni Infantino and Patrice Motsepe, who arrived on Friday at the Rabat-Salé airport to attend the draw ceremony for the 2022 FIFA Club World Cup.