CHAN 2024: Harambee Stars Opponent Coach Slammed with $5,000 CAF Fine for Skipping Official Presser

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has fined the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) USD 5,000 (approximately Ksh 646,000) after head coach Avram Grant failed to appear at a mandatory pre-match press conference on 6 August in readiness for Zambia's CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) fixture against the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

CAF Disciplinary Board handed down the sanction today, 13 August, and ruled that FAZ had breached its Media Regulations by sending an assistant coach in place of Grant without seeking prior permission.

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The fine comes as Zambia is fighting to turn around a poor start to their CHAN campaign.

CAF said in its statement: "The CAF Disciplinary Board charged Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) with infringement of CAF's Media Regulations at the Match Day-1 Press Conference before their CAF African Nations Championship ('CHAN') match against Democratic Republic of Congo."

The board ruled Zambia guilty and went on: "Zambia failed to bring the head coach to the mandatory Press Conference. The Disciplinary Board found Zambia guilty and fined them USD 5,000."

The 6 August briefing, scheduled for 11:45 am at the Moi International Sports Centre in Nairobi, was abruptly cancelled when Grant’s assistant arrived instead—contrary to competition rules requiring the head coach’s presence unless CAF is informed at least 24 hours in advance.

CAF regulations demand that the head coach speak first before official matches, as a matter of having standardized messaging as well as adherence to competition regulations. A senior football official told Pulse Sports:

"If the head coach is unable to attend due to sickness or suspension, there must be advance notice. Sending an assistant without informing us beforehand does not meet our expectations of professionalism."

The abrupt switch without warning drew an outcry from journalists and soccer analysts, who argued the move undermined the professionalism of the Zambian camp, especially given the high stakes of their opening match against DRC.

Zambia's fortunes on the pitch have been equally traumatic since the 6 August fiasco.

They have lost their opening game to DRC before losing to Angola, which has left their CHAN aspirations in the balance. Today's fine is another headache for FAZ as they prepare to meet their final Group A fixture against Morocco tomorrow, 14 August, in Nairobi.

With CAF demanding adherence to its regulations and the Zambian side grappling with poor form, the Chipolopolo are facing both reputational and competitive pressure. Tomorrow's game is a last chance to salvage pride in a tournament that so far has made more headlines off the pitch than on the pitch.