The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has issued heavy fines to several teams participating in the ongoing African Nations Championship (CHAN) following breaches of competition regulations.
The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has been ordered to pay a fine of $5,000 (approximately MK8.6 million) after the head coach of the Zambian national team, Avram Grant, failed to attend a mandatory pre-match press conference ahead of their clash against the Republic of Congo.
According to CAF’s competition rules, attendance at official press conferences is compulsory, and any failure to comply is considered a serious offence.
Kenya has been hit with a far larger penalty, a $50,000 fine, for breaching safety and security regulations during their CHAN fixture against Morocco.
CAF did not disclose full details, but reports indicate that incidents in the stands and pitch perimeter were at the heart of the sanction.
The continental body has also issued a stern warning to Kenya, stating that if such incidents occur again, the remaining matches in the country could be moved to neighboring Tanzania, which is a co-host for the tournament.
Meanwhile, Morocco has also been punished, receiving a $5,000 fine for its role in the disturbances during the same match against Kenya.
CAF has given all three federations 60 days to settle the fines. Failure to do so could result in further disciplinary action, including possible suspension from future CAF competitions.
The African Nations Championship (CHAN), which features national teams made up exclusively of players competing in their domestic leagues, has been underway with high intensity, but CAF’s latest decisions serve as a reminder that discipline and order remain a top priority in African football.