The first round of 16 in the history of the Comoros at the African Cup of Nations will be remembered more than ever. Eliminated by Cameroon, following an incredible scenario (1-2), the Cœlacanthes had to field a defender in goal last Monday, due to injuries and Covid protocols making the three goalkeepers unavailable.
In the middle of the week, the disciplinary panel of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) met to deliberate “a number of incidents related to the match between Cameroon, hosts, and Comoros, on January 24”. , according to a press release. The Comoros team was first charged with displaying “repeated irresponsible behavior, including a serious breach of Covid-19 protocols and forcing access to the changing rooms”. This earned a first fine of 10,000 US dollars (regarding 9,000 euros).
A fine “for non-compliance with jersey numbers”
CAF has also decided to impose a second sanction to the Comorian Football Federation, because of the artisanal flocking made on the goalkeeper jersey, worn by Chaker Alhadur. The defender might not wear Moyadh Ousseni’s No. 16, so the staff put his usual No. 3 on the back of the jersey, using adhesive tape. A fine of 5,000 US dollars (around 4,500 euros) was imposed on the Comorians, “for non-compliance with the jersey numbers already registered in the CMS system by the player”.
Finally, a third fine of 2,000 US dollars (regarding 1,800 euros) was imposed, because the Comoros team is “accused of having caused a two-minute delay on kick-off following their player left the locker room wearing a jersey with a number that was not his”. In addition, Jean-Daniel Padovani, the goalkeeping coach, was suspended “for his next three games with the national team, due to his disrespectful behavior” towards the match officials.