Morocco FA rejects AFCON penalties

Rabat - Morocco's football federation has rejected sanctions by the Confederation of African Football for withdrawing from hosting the African Cup of Nations, and called them harmful to the sport and against the rules.

The executive committee of the Royal Federation of Moroccan Football described itself as "stunned" by the two-tournament ban, and a $1 million fine that could grow to $10 million.

The committee statement late Tuesday said the decision does not correspond to the last meeting with CAF president Issa Hayatou in January. Moroccan football head Faouzi Lakjaa said at the time the penalty would be only financial.

Morocco attempted to have the tournament delayed over fears of the Ebola virus.

The federation said Lakjaa was empowered to take appropriate measures, without elaborating.