Marrakech – The Council of Southern African Football Associations (Cosafa) decided to reject Morocco’s invitation to attend the opening of the Club World Cup 2014, which will be held in Morocco from December 10 through 20.
The main reason behind Cosafa’s decision was Morocco’s request to postpone the African Cup of Nations (CAN) 2015 because of the spread of the Ebola virus, which has affected several countries in West Africa.
By refusing to host CAN 2015, Morocco has antagonized some African football organizations, especially those in southern Africa, which considered Morocco’s request an affront to African football.
Therefore, Cosafa, which consists of 14 countries from Southern Africa, decided not to accept the Royal Moroccan Football Federation’s (FRMF) invitation to attend the opening of the Club World Cup 2014 in Morocco next month, according to a news release on Cosafa’s official website.
Morocco’s request to postpone the CAN was supported by several countries and officials, including the president of Guinea, who expressed his support for Morocco’s decision at the 5th Global Entrepreneurship Summit, which was held In Marrakech last week.
Morocco successfully organized the Club World Cup last year drawing praise from FIFA and several football commentators across the world.
Edited by Timothy Filla
