Moroccan Athletics Federation satisfied over Africa's backing

The Moroccan Athletics Federation has voiced satisfaction over Africa's full backing regarding the sanctions imposed by the International Amateur Athletics Federation (IAAF) on Morocco following its dispute with the Israeli Athletics Federation.

A delegate of the Moroccan federation, who attended recently works of the African Athletics union in Dakar, said Morocco praises Africa's solidarity and hails the stand adopted by the IAAF chief who decided to review the dispute opposing the Moroccan and Israeli federations.

The IAAF decided recently to ban Morocco from organizing any international athletics events after an Israeli sports delegation claimed that Morocco had denied it an entry visa to the Kingdom to take part in the world cross country championship held in Marrakesh (southern Morocco) last March.

During its meeting held last week in Dakar, the African Athletics Union called on the IAAF to annul its decision against Morocco as it was based on mere Israeli allegations.The African union also urged the IAAF to conduct an enquiry and to hear both the Moroccan and Israeli versions of the incident before making any decision.

The world athletics governing body had agreed to hear both the Moroccan and Israeli federations next February on the dispute between the two sides.

The IAAF chief told the Moroccan press that he was embarrassed by the sanctions imposed on Morocco and affirmed that the IAAF will settle the issue as soon as possible.