Zambia’s Renard fined US$10 000

was suspended and would be lifted “provided no repetition of such behaviour occur(s) within the coming year.”
Defending champions Zambia were knocked out in the group stage with a 0-0 draw with Burkina Faso, prompting Frenchman Renard to say Caf didn’t want his team to win again and represent Africa at the Confederations Cup in Brazil.
“To be honest with you I think that Caf is very happy because Zambia is not going to play the Confederations Cup,” Renard said in Nelspruit on January 29 after his team’s elimination.
“Because (they think) Zambia is not sexy enough to go to the Confederations . . . it’s the truth.”
Caf said it had accepted letters of apology from Renard and the Football Association of Zambia, but still issued the warning and suspended fine “in order to ensure the non-repetition of such behaviour which tarnishes the image of Caf and its officials.”
Zambia, the 2012 champions, missed out on the chance to play at the World Cup warm-up Confederations Cup because Caf moved the Cup of Nations to odd years and played it back to back in 2012 and 2013, meaning this year’s winner will go as African champion.
Caf confirmed on Thursday that the winners of tomorrow’s final, Burkina Faso or Nigeria, would be at June’s Confederations Cup and there would be no play-off involving Zambia, ensuring the Zambians never got the chance despite winning an emotional title by beating favourites Ivory Coast in last year’s final in Gabon.
Meanwhile, Renard has been appointed ambassador for social enterprise Alive & Kicking, officials announced on Tuesday.
Alive & Kicking manufactures sports balls for children, create jobs for adults and promote health education through sport.
The French coach and the company say the new partnership can improve the quality of young soccer players in Zambia.
“That’s why I’ve partnered with Alive & Kicking, because they are committed to helping grassroots development through the provision of affordable and durable balls,” Renard said in a press release.
The reigning Caf Coach of the Year will be providing his services free of charge, according to Alive & Kicking, which currently operates in Kenya, Zambia and Ghana.
Renard recently allocated a donation of balls to the Zambian Carnivore Program to assist in the country’s ongoing fight for animal conservation.
“It has been our pleasure to host Herve at our stitching centre at Zamleather, he has shown an incredible interest in what we do, and we are very grateful for his time.
“We look forward to working together in the future,” said Alive & Kicking Sales Manager Scott Sloan. – AFP.