Ghana assistant coach Herve Renard has been handed a one-match ban by the Disciplinary Committee of the Confederation of African Football.
Caf’s decision means Renard is ruled out the quarterfinal game between Ghana and Nigeria on Sunday.
Renard, according to CAF’s report is said to have used offensive language against the general co-ordinator during the Ghana-Morocco Group A clash on Monday at the Ohene Djan Sports Stadium.
A statement signed by Raymond Hack, Caf Disciplinary Board Chairman said: “Renard has been charged with bringing the game into disrepute and his action violates Article 131 of the Caf Disciplinary Code (CDC) which stipulates: ‘Anyone who insults someone in any way, especially by using offensive gestures or language, will be sanctioned with a match suspension. If the perpetrator is a player, he will be suspended from at least two (2) matches; if he is an official, he will be suspended from at least four (4) matches.’’
CAF says the disciplinary board had decided to ban Renard from sitting on the bench and access to the dressing room for the next four matches, but decided to suspend three matches on condition that, he is not found guilty of a similar offence till the end of the tournament.
Meanwhile, Ghana coach Claude Le Roy is to respond within 24 hours in writing on a similar charge.
According to CAF, Le Roy is alleged to have said the general coordinator’s reason for not watering the pitch in the Morocco game was because he was a Muslim like them (referring to the Moroccan team’.
According to the report by the committee, Le Roy’s action violates Article 132 of CDC which stipulates: “Anyone who publicly disparages, discriminates against or denigrates someone in a defamatory manner on account of race, colour, language, religion or ethnic origin, or perpetrates any other racist and/or contemptuous act, will be subject to match suspension for at least five matches at every level.
“Furthermore, a stadium ban and a fine of at least $3,000 will be imposed on the perpetrator. If the perpetrator is an official, the fine will be at least $5,000.’’