Morocco appeals sanctions for refusing to host African Cup

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) - Morocco has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport against the heavy sanctions it faces for withdrawing as host of the African Cup of Nations because of the Ebola epidemic.

Morocco was expelled from the 2017 and 2019 tournaments and was fined $1 million by the Confederation of African Football. CAF also demanded a further $9 million in compensation.

CAS says it received the appeal Tuesday from the Moroccan Football Federation, which seeks to have the sanctions lifted and requested that a final ruling be issued by the end of March.

Morocco pulled out two months before the tournament's start in January, citing health risks from fans traveling from Ebola-affected regions in West Africa. It asked for a delay. CAF refused and the tournament was moved to Equatorial Guinea.