CAF Drops Morocco As Hosts, Disqualifies Team From Tournament

After a meeting with Executive Committee members on Tuesday, CAF confirmed that Morocco will not host next year's nations Cup whilst also stating that the country has been disqualified from the tournament

Following a letter from the Royal Moroccan Football Federation that the Nations Cup be postponed or it will not host the tournament next year, CAF has responded in confirmation that AFCON 2015 will not hold in the North African nation.

In an official statement after a meeting with the Executive Committee members, CAF said that it has ''taken note of the response of the Minister of Youth and Sports of the Kingdom of Morocco in a letter dated 8 November 2014 requesting the postponement of the Orange Africa Cup of Nations in 2015.’’

Adding that the letter clearly indicated ‘’that the Royal Moroccan Football Federation reiterated its refusal to hold the competition on the dates indicated (January 17-February 8, 2015).’’

 CAF further stated that ‘’The Organising Committee of the Orange Africa Cup of Nations will later apply the statutory provisions that are required due to a breach of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation regulatory and contractual provisions, including those set out in the Host Association Agreement signed between CAF and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation in April 2014.

‘’The Executive Committee took note of receipt by 10 November, 2014 of some applications of national associations confirming their desire to host the 2015 competition on the dates agreed. These applications are currently under review, and the Executive Committee will finalize the selection of the successful National Association shortly and confirm the place and date of the draw of the final tournament at the same time.’’

With Morocco’s withdrawal as hosts and other countries approached to host the tournament refusing the offer, CAF insists that this weekend’s qualifying matches will still go on without hitches while confirming that the country has been axed due to its failure to host the tournament

‘’The Executive Committee confirms the continuation of qualifiers match-days 5 & 6, which will be held during the month (14/15 November and 19 November), paving the way for the qualification o

f the 15 teams that will be joining the team of the host country.

‘’Accordingly, and following the refusal of the Moroccan party, the Executive Committee has decided that the national team of Morocco is automatically disqualified and will not take part in the 30th edition of the Orange Africa Cup of Nations in 2015.’’