Suspended Tanzania coach Adel Amrouche to appeal ban

Suspended Tanzania coach Adel Amrouche has vowed to appeal his eight-match ban citing a lack of fairness.

The sanction was imposed after officials from the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (RMFF) contacted Caf to complain about remarks made by Amrouche.

The two countries met in Group F at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations on Wednesday, with Morocco winning 3-0 after Tanzania had Novatus Miroshi sent off.

Juma pledges to end goal-dry spell and surpass last season's tally

A statement from the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) said it had suspended Amrouche after the coach’s comments about "Morocco influencing CAF, to manipulate the match scheduling and officiating".

However, the former Kenyan coach has indicated that he would appeal the ban saying that he was not given a hearing.

“I am certainly going to appeal against my ban,” the Algerian told journalist Osasu Obayiuwana. My lawyer has advised me not to talk to the media, so I don’t want to say much for now. But how can I be banned without a disciplinary notice or hearing? How is this fair? How is this justice?” he queried.

Amrouche criticized Morocco's influence over the African game before AFCON kicked off.

Hemed Suleiman Ali has been placed in interim charge of the Taifa Stars, with the help of Juma Mgunda.

The East Africans, attempting to reach the knockout stages for the first time in their third appearance at the AFCON finals, play their second group game against Zambia in San Pedro on Sunday.

Amrouche was appointed as Tanzania's boss in March 2023, leading them to AFCON by securing a point in his birth country of Algeria in their final qualifying match.

The 55-year-old has previously had spells in charge of Equatorial Guinea, Burundi, Kenya, Libya and Botswana.

On Tuesday, TFF president Wallace Karia distanced the organization from Amrouche's statements.

"We as TFF do not agree with his comments," Karia said in a video by Azam TV.

"Those are his sentiments as a coach. We are CAF members, and we know they follow their procedures without influence from any country. The TFF and the Moroccan Football Federation are friends.”