Morocco announced that it had pulled out of the African Nations Championship (CHAN), a tournament set to kick off on Friday, January 13, 2023, in Algeria.
According to a statement made by the Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) on Thursday, January 12, the team was yet to receive authorization for their flight to Algeria.
“The Moroccan football team is not able to travel to Constantine (Algeria) as the permission for Royal Air Maroc (RAM) flight, the official carrier of the Moroccan national team, from Rabat to Constantine has not been confirmed.
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In December 2022, the FRMF sent a request to the Confederation of African Football (CAF), noting that the national team would not participate in the tournament should Algeria refuse to allow the team to fly directly from Rabat to Constantine using the country’s official carrier Royal Air Maroc.
In their statement, FRMF noted that they informed CAF the national team was continuing with training for the tournament.
“While the trip of the Moroccan selection from Rabat to Constantine is organized by the FRMF and the kick-off of CHAN is scheduled for January 13, 2023, meaning in 24 hours, the FRMF notes with regret that obtaining a final authorization of the RAM flight from Rabat to Constantine has unfortunately still not been confirmed by CAF,” the statement read in part.
In a past statement, Algeria’s Minister of Sports Abderrazak Sebgag revealed that the federation will communicate its response to Morocco’s request through official channels.
Morocco and Algeria have experienced tension since 2021 when Algeria accused Morocco of interfering in its domestic affairs.
This led to the Algerian leadership closing its airspace and cutting ties with Morocco.
Morocco is the 2021 CHAN champion after defeating Mali 2-0 in the finals held at Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaounde, Cameroon.
The Atlas Lions had been drawn into Group C, alongside Sudan, Madagascar, and Ghana.
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