Caf to throw rule book at Morocco for snubbing Chan??

Morocco has not officially withdrawn from the tournament, SABC Sport understands. 

The Atlas Lions, who won the last two editions of Chan, on home soil in 2018 and in Cameroon in 2021, are yet to arrive in Algeria, due to some diplomatic issues with their neighbours. 

A political diplomatic fallout between Algeria and Morocco in 2021 resulted in Algeria closing its airspace to all Moroccan planes. The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FMRF) has been insisting on coming to the tournament, flying in via the Royal Maroc Air plane but Algeria has stood firm on its ban. 

Few days before the tournament, as the two countries and the Confederation of African Football (Caf) were deadlocked on negotiations, FMRF released a statement that said if they are not allowed to use their airplane to come to Algeria, they would withdraw from the tournament. 

The Atlas Lions were scheduled to play their opening game in Group C against Sudan in Constantine on Sunday but indications are that they are not coming. 

The Organizing Committee headed by Caf Fourth Vice-President Seidou Mbombo Joya from Cameroon is scheduled to meet today to deliberate on the way forward on this matter, which would be to throw the rule book to Morocco. 

Article 72 of the Chan regulations reads—a withdrawal declared during the tournament shall see that country forfeiting the participation fee, a fine of 10 000 USD, as well as suspension for the next two editions of Chan. The organizing committee may also order the withdrawing association to make compensation for any possible losses. And this decision can also not be appealed. 

This is the seventh edition of the Chan tournament since its inception in 2009. The tournament is played by players who are based in domestic national leagues.