The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has given Morocco a new ruling ahead of their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations clash against South Africa.
The two titans of African football are set to butt heads on Tuesday night in a highly-anticipated Round of 16 encounter.
The Atlas Lions competed in their last group stage match – a 1-0 victory over Zambia – without the presence of head coach Walid Regragui following a bust-up with DR Congo captain Chancel Mbemba in an earlier tie, which led to numerous players from both sides getting involved in the altercation.
Subsequently, both teams were fined considerable sums of money, with Regragui being banned from the sidelines for four matches, two of them suspended for a period of one year.
The 48-year-old manager was thus expected to be absent once more when Morocco take on Bafana Bafana this week.
It has since been confirmed, however, that this will not be the case.
The Federation Royale Marocaine de Football appealed the initial decision on the matter, resulting in it being partially upheld, with Regragui's suspension having been lifted altogether by CAF's Appeal Board.
"The four-match suspension of Morocco coach Walid Regragui, two (2) of which were suspended for a period of one (1) year has been set aside," CAF wrote in a statement.
"The fine of 5 000 US Dollars (about R94 500) imposed on Morocco coach Walid Regragui has also been set aside.
"The CAF Appeal Board confirmed the CAF Disciplinary Board decision to impose a fine of 20 000 US Dollars (about R377 000) on both Federation Royale Marocaine de Football and Federation Congolaise de Football Association; and impose a fine of 10 000 US Dollars (about R189 000), (5 000 US Dollars of which is suspended) on the Federation Royale Marocaine de Football for the use of smoke bombs by its supporters during the match."
The match between Morocco and South Africa will kick off at 22:00 SA time on Tuesday night.
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