Press Release: CAF partially reduces Gambia’s sanction

It would be recalled that the Gabonese National Football team had failed to comply with the Covid19 regulations put in place by the Gambian health authorities ahead of the two countries’ meeting in the Total African Cup of Nations qualifiers last November leading to their delayed departure from the Banjul International Airport.

The CAF Disciplinary Board later imposed the aforementioned fine on us but the GFF lodged an appeal to the Confederation’s Appeal Board which was heard on February 8, 2021. In this regard, CAF has today communicated to the GFF that the Appeal Board has decided to reduce the sanction by half; imposing on us a fine of USD50,000 (Fifty Thousand Dollars) of which USD25,000 is suspended (Twenty-Five Thousand US Dollars) for two years.

The Board stated that while taking the decision, it had put into consideration the fact that the Covid-19 Gambian health officials are an independent Body to the Gambian Government. However, they were quick to add that it remains the responsibility of the hosting national association to ensure the safety and fair treatment to the opposing team’s delegation.

In light of the above, the GFF wishes to further announce that the Executive Committee will study the latest decision in consultation with its Legal team before its next line of action.

Source: GFF