Morocco will not play the CHAN 2022 in Algeria (January 13-February 4). The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) issued an official statement on Thursday.
While the Cherifian Kingdom and Algeria have broken their diplomatic relations for several months, the FRMF explains that the country has refused to take a RAM flight through Tunisia to join Algeria thereafter. "The Moroccan Selection of Football is not able to make the trip to Constantine (Algeria) to play the 7th edition of the African Nations Football Championship to be held in Algeria from January 13 to February 4, 2023 (CHAN 2002) and defend its title insofar as the final authorization of its flight Royal Air Maroc (RAM), official carrier of the Moroccan Football Selections, from Rabat to Constantine has not been confirmed (...)", emphasizes the Federation.
It then adds. "Following its request for authorization of a RAM flight from Rabat to Constantine, the FRMF was informed on December 22, 2022 by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), as the body in charge of organizing the CHAN 2022, that an authorization in principle had been obtained. While the movement of the Moroccan selection from Rabat to Constantine is organized by the FRMF and that the kick-off of the CHAN 2022 is scheduled for January 13, 2023, that is to say in 24 hours, the FRMF notes with regret that the obtaining of the definitive authorization of the RAM flight from Rabat to Constantine has unfortunately still not been confirmed by the CAF''. A forfeit that will definitely affect weight of the tournament since Morocco is double title holder.
