This principled stance has been taken in solidarity with CAF, who stripped Morocco of the right to host the 2015 Orange Africa Cup of Nations Final Tournament after FRMF insisted the tournament be postponed over fears of the Ebola virus.
However, the FRMF’s decision to continue to host the FIFA Club World Cup is not in line with their reasoning behind the proposed postponement of the Nations Cup finals and is, in the opinion of the COSAFA Executive, an affront to the dignity of African football.
Following the COSAFA Executive Committee meeting held on Saturday, it was decided that the invitation from the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football’s stance not to host the 2015 Oramge Africa Cup of Nations was not acceptable, and therefore deemed it necessary to reject the invitations from the Moroccan FA to attend the opening of the 2014 FIFA Club World Cup.
This year’s instalment of the Club World Cup is set to feature European Champions Real Madrid, African champions Entente Sportive de Setif of Algeria, as well as the various other continental champions.
The opening match of the tournament, which is a quarterfinal play-off, is scheduled for 10 December, while the Final is set for 20 December.