CAF sanctions Zambia, Kenya, Morocco for 2025 CHAN violations

The Confederation of African Football- CAF Disciplinary Board has imposed significant fines on the football federations of Zambia, Kenya, and Morocco for breaching regulations during the ongoing 2025 African Nations Championship- CHAN PAMOJA 2024, as reported on August 14, 2025. The sanctions, announced following a disciplinary hearing on August 13, 2025, address infractions related to media obligations, safety and security lapses, and player misconduct during the tournament’s group stage matches. With the fines totaling $60,000, CAF’s actions underscore its commitment to enforcing strict compliance with competition standards as the tournament progresses across host nations Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.

Zambia sanction

The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) was fined $5,000 for violating CAF’s Media Regulations during the pre-match press conference for their Group A opener against the Democratic Republic of Congo. CAF mandates that head coaches attend these sessions to ensure proper promotion and communication for the tournament. Zambia’s failure to present their head coach, reportedly due to logistical oversight, prompted the Disciplinary Board to find FAZ guilty, imposing the fine to be paid within 60 days of notification. The incident, though minor compared to other breaches, highlights CAF’s emphasis on media obligations, particularly for a tournament aimed at showcasing domestic talent.

Kenya sanctions

The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) faced the heaviest penalty, a $50,000 fine, for multiple safety and security breaches during their Group D match against Morocco at the Moi International Sports Centre in Kasarani, Nairobi. The Disciplinary Board cited inadequate security personnel, failure to adhere to stadium perimeter protocols, and non-compliance with matchday road closure requirements as major violations. These lapses, detailed in a CAF statement on their official website, led to chaotic scenes that compromised safety during the high-profile encounter. CAF also issued a stern warning to Kenya, stating that continued failure to meet safety standards could result in the relocation of their national team matches to a neutral venue outside the country. The FKF was urged to deploy sufficient security personnel and ensure logistical compliance for future games.

Morocco’s sanctions

The Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) was sanctioned with a $5,000 fine, of which $2,500 is suspended, for inappropriate conduct by its players during the same match against Kenya. While CAF did not publicly detail the specific nature of the misconduct, sources like Foot Africa suggest it involved unsportsmanlike behavior during heated moments of the game. The suspended portion of the fine is contingent on Morocco avoiding similar offenses for the remainder of CHAN 2025, which concludes on August 19, 2025. The relatively lighter penalty reflects the isolated nature of the incident, but it serves as a reminder of CAF’s commitment to maintaining discipline and fair play in a tournament that showcases Africa’s domestic leagues.

Conclusion

As CHAN 2025 progresses into its decisive stages, Zambia, Kenya, and Morocco must address these infractions to avoid further penalties. Kenya, in particular, faces pressure to enhance security measures, with Sports Minister Salim Mvurya ordering fan zones in Nairobi to ease stadium congestion, per CGTN Africa. The fines serve as a wake-up call for all federations to prioritize compliance, ensuring the tournament’s integrity and safety. With the group stage ongoing, the focus now shifts to whether these nations can recover on and off the pitch, as CAF continues its mission to uphold the standards of Africa’s premier domestic competition.