From the pitch of the Laurent Pokou stadium in San Pedro (Ivory Coast) to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, there is only one step.
The altercation between Morocco coach Walid Regragui and Democratic Republic of Congo captain Chancel Mbemba will be brought before the CAS.
The two men got into a fight at the end of the match between the two selections (1-1) in the group stage of CAN 2024, causing a general scuffle on the pitch and in the locker room.
A first decision by the CAF disciplinary jury had requested a suspension for four matches, two of which were suspended, against the coach of the Atlas Lions, who was held responsible for the incident at the end of the match.
But following an appeal from the Moroccan Federation, Walid Regragui's suspension was canceled.
“Totally unjustified”
A change which angered the Congolese Federation (Fecofa).
The dominant football body in the DRC announced “its intention” to bring the matter before the Court of Arbitration for Sport, “convinced of the totally unjustified nature of this cancellation”, indicates Fecofa in a press release.
[Press release]
🚨 FECOFA announces its intention to bring the matter before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS)...
For more information, click on the link below: https://t.co/eJYwvkQ2zR# FecofaRdc
— Fecofa RDC_Officiel (@FecofaRdc) January 29, 2024
Chancel Mbemba and Walid Regragui had, in fact, already been vehement towards each other before the final whistle.
After the 22 players were sent back to the locker room, the Morocco coach came to interrupt the DRC captain during his prayer to shake his hand.
The situation then escalated on the pitch with the intervention of other players and members of the staff, then by statements via media.