Morocco coach Walid Regragui’s suspension at the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) has been overturned following a successful appeal by the country’s football federation. Initially handed a four-match ban, with two games suspended, and fined for bringing the competition into disrepute, Regragui was forced to watch Morocco’s last group game against Zambia from the stands.

The decision to lift the ban means that Regragui, who guided his team to the World Cup semifinals in 2022, will be back on the bench for the crucial last-16 clash against South Africa on Tuesday.

Regragui’s suspension stemmed from an on-field altercation with Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) captain Chancel Mbemba during their Group F match in San Pedro. The incident led to scuffles among players and staff on the pitch and alleged fighting in the tunnel, away from public view.

Regragui had approached Mbemba for a handshake at the end of the match but held on to his hand, attempting to address the defender. Mbemba resisted and broke away, triggering chaos after the 1-1 draw.

“He insulted me and my assistant on the sidelines before the end of the match,” Regragui explained to reporters. “And in the end, despite that, I went to shake his hand but also to ask him: ‘Why are you talking to me like that?’ Then he looked away like he didn’t want to shake my hand.”

Morocco’s football federation criticized the initial decision, and the successful appeal was filed just hours before the Zambia game, during which Regragui communicated with his bench from the VIP stand while assistant Rachid Ben Mahmoud replaced him on the touchline.