The penalties from the Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) continue to roll in, and this time, the focus is not just on the host nation. While Kenya has been the hardest hit, with a KSh 6.4 million fine for repeated crowd trouble and security lapses at the Kasarani Stadium, Morocco has not been spared. The Moroccan Football Federation will also have to pay a USD 5,000 fine (KSh 647,000), half of which is suspended, for failing to control its players during the same high-stakes match.
The match, which saw the Harambee Stars stun the Atlas Lions with a 1-0 victory, was a source of great frustration for the Moroccan players. Despite playing against a 10-man Harambee Stars for a significant part of the game, the Atlas Lions failed to break down a resilient Kenyan defense, a result that was widely attributed to the tactical prowess of the Harambee Stars' coach, Benni McCarthy. The frustration among the Moroccan players was palpable, and they were spotted surrounding the referee on more than one occasion, a display of dissent that did not go unnoticed by CAF officials.
This fine for Morocco is a clear signal from CAF that it is serious about enforcing its rules and regulations, not just on crowd control but also on player discipline. The organization has been particularly vocal about the need for stadiums to adhere to safety and regulations, which includes ensuring that the 48,000-seater Kasarani Stadium is not packed to the rafters, with fans sitting on the stairs or standing up. The numerous security breaches, which saw fans storm barricades, jump over walls, and access the stadium without tickets, have painted a negative picture of Kenya's hosting capabilities.
The FKF has been hit with a KSh 6.4 million fine, payable within 60 days, and a stern warning from CAF that "continued failure to meet CAF safety and security requirements may lead to the relocation of Kenya’s National Team matches to an alternative venue." The statement further advised Kenya to "increase security measures by deploying sufficient personnel within the perimeter of the stadium as well as adhering to the road closures on match days."
As both nations face the consequences of their actions, this latest round of fines serves as a powerful reminder that the beautiful game must be played and watched under strict rules, and that both the players on the field and the fans in the stands have a responsibility to uphold the integrity of the game.
