world Rugby has announced the suspension of the Royal Moroccan Rugby Federation until the end of 2020. This decision has serious consequences for Moroccan rugby.
Moroccan rugby sees red. After appealing after a first conviction in early March, the FRMR was dismissed on Tuesday by World Rugby and the Appeal Committee of Rugby Africa, the African rugby federation. After this, heavy sanctions fell. Morocco is indeed prohibited from participating in official competitions, all categories combined. A sentence of 5 years suspension is also imposed on the former president of the Federation, Tahar Boujouala.
Sanctioned Atlas Lions
The federal office, appointed a week after the announcement of the first sanctions, had then caused a scandal in Africa. He had indeed seen Tahar Boujouala’s brother, Driss, be elected president of the FRMR at the end of stormy negotiations. As a reminder, Rugby Africa had seized World Rugby, denouncing a Moroccan electoral system described as wobbly.
As a result of these sanctions, the Atlas Lions will be unable to play for the 2023 World Cup in France. Morocco will soon play a match against Côte d’Ivoire, in preparation for the French World Cup.
Rugby Klub Bratislava 