The African football body announced the fine on Thursday.
The Confederation of African Football, CAF, has slammed its axe on the defending champions of the Africa Cup of Nations, Zambia
CAF slammed a fine of $10,000 (N1.5 million) on Zambia as punishment for the statements made by Coach Herve Renard against the football body.
Renard said, during a press conference on January 29 at Mbombela Stadium after Zambia was knocked out of the AFCON finals, CAF did not want the Chipolopolo to play in the Confederations Cup set for Brazil because the team was not ‘sexy’ enough.
He said this in response to a question from a journalist who wanted to find his views on CAF not according the 2012 winners the chance to play in the Confederations Cup, or offer Zambia a play-off with the 2013 winners to see who represents the continent at the competition.
“I can give you an honest answer, CAF is happy that Zambia will not be playing at the Confederations Cup. I do not know but maybe Zambia is not sexy enough. That is the truth,” Renard said.
The Frenchman said it is sad that CAF refused to accord the 2012 champions the opportunity to represent the continent at the Confederations Cup saying: “It would have been fairer if the 2012 and 2013 champions had gone on to represent the continent but I guess it never crossed their minds”.
