ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast: Morocco’s and Congo’s argument on the Africa Cup of Nations rumbles on.

The Congolese soccer federation on Monday mentioned it was interesting towards the lifting of a suspension of Morocco coach Walid Regragui for his function within the melee after the groups’ heated encounter.

Regragui was initially banned for 4 video games — with two suspended — by the Confederation of African Football, however its enchantment board on Sunday partially upheld an enchantment filed by the Moroccan federation towards the ban, clearing the coach to return on Tuesday for his workforce’s last-16 recreation towards South Africa.

“Convinced of the completely unjustified nature of this cancellation, the Congolese Federation of Association Football proclaims its intention to convey the matter earlier than the Court of Arbitration for Sport, upon receipt of the reasoned choice,” the Congolese federation mentioned in a press release.

The Congolese federation said Regragui made “detailed confessions” and photographs of the disturbances “go away no shadow of a doubt” he was in the wrong.

The Moroccan federation argued in its appeal against the initial CAF ban that it was an “unjust decision” as a result of the coach “didn’t commit any conduct that violates the spirit of sportsmanship.”

Regragui sat out Morocco’s final group game as the Atlas Lions defeated Zambia 1-0 in the first game after his suspension.

Regragui and Congo captain Chancel Mbemba had a heated exchange after their teams’ match ended 1-1 in San Pedro on Jan. 21. It led to a melee between players and officials from both teams that continued down the players’ tunnel.

Mbemba implied to journalists after the game that Regragui insulted him, but the Morocco coach later denied making any racist comments.

Mbemba’s Instagram account was subjected to a stream of racist abuse, while Regragui said he received death threats in the fallout.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer