The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has handed down hefty fines to both Kenya and Morocco following disciplinary breaches during their African Nations Championship (CHAN) fixture in Nairobi.
In a statement issued after a review of the match, CAF said Morocco’s football governing body, the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF), had been found guilty of “inappropriate conduct” by its players. The Disciplinary Board ordered Morocco to pay a fine of $5,000, with half the amount – $2,500 – suspended on the condition that no similar offence occurs for the remainder of CHAN 2024. Morocco has 60 days to make the payment.
Kenya’s penalty was far steeper. The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) was fined $50,000 after CAF cited “multiple safety and security breaches” at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani. The disciplinary report pointed to lapses in crowd control, insufficient perimeter security, and poor adherence to matchday road closure rules.
CAF’s warning to Kenya was stark: continued failure to meet safety and security requirements could result in the relocation of the national team’s home fixtures to alternative venues outside the country. Kenya has been advised to deploy more security personnel within stadium grounds, tighten access points, and ensure smooth crowd management to avoid similar sanctions in the future.
Security has long been a concern for football events across the continent, with CAF insisting that host nations must meet international safety standards. “Protecting players, officials, and fans is non-negotiable,” said a CAF source familiar with the disciplinary process, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to comment publicly.
While Morocco’s case centred solely on player behaviour, Kenya’s punishment reflects deeper structural concerns about matchday organisation. The $50,000 fine serves as both a penalty and a warning, signalling CAF’s growing impatience with host nations that fall short of the required standards.
Neither federation has issued an official public response, but the sanctions are expected to spark debate within both football communities. For Kenya, the timing is especially sensitive, with the country preparing to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. The incident raises questions over readiness and the ability to guarantee the safety of large-scale events.
For now, both Kenya and Morocco will have to navigate the rest of CHAN 2024 with greater caution – not just on the pitch, but in the management and discipline that surround the game.
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