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PARIS. — Morocco has rejected sanctions by the Confederation of African Football for withdrawing from hosting the African Cup of Nations, calling them harmful to the sport and against the rules.

Morocco pulled out two months before the tournament’s start in January, citing health risks from fans traveling from Ebola-affected regions in West Africa.

It asked Caf for a delay.

Caf refused, rebuffed Morocco’s stance on Ebola fears, and Equatorial Guinea ended up hosting.

Morocco was expelled from the 2017 and 2019 tournaments and fined US$1 million. Caf also demanded a further US$9 million in compensation.

“The executive committee is totally stunned by the decisions taken by Caf, which has no relation with the conclusion taken after the meeting in Cairo with the president (of the Moroccan federation),” said the statement. — AFP.