Morocco back in 2017 Nations Cup

Confederation of African Football executives agreed on Sunday to allow Morocco to compete in the 2017 Cup of Nations qualifying competition, AFP reports.

Morocco were barred from the 2017 and 2019 tournaments after refusing to host the 2015 finals last January and February because they feared visiting supporters could bring the deadly Ebola virus into the country.

Football officials from the North African kingdom appealed the decision at the Switzerland-based Court of Arbitration for Sport and won the case last Thursday.

CAS said the two-tournament ban should be lifted and a $1m fine reduced to $50,000.

However, one day later a CAF spokesman refused to confirm whether Morocco would be included in the April 8 qualifying draw.

“There are many meetings to be held before the way forward is known,” he told the BBC.

But a statement issued after CAF executives led by president Issa Hayatou met in Cairo cleared 1976 African champions Morocco to compete.