Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) has ruled that Morocco be reinstated into contention for the 2017 and 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, as well as reduced a heavy fine imposed by Confederation of African Football (CAF).

Morocco was banned from participating in the next two editions and fined $1m by CAF for the north African nation’s withdrawal from hosting the 2015 AFCON due to fears of the ebola virus.

As a result, Morocco was expelled from AFCON 2015 by CAF and replaced with Equatorial Guinea as hosts, leading Morocco to appeal against the CAF sanctions at CAS.

However in a statement from Lausanne by CAS, “The suspension of Morocco from the next two editions of the African Nations Cup is annulled and the fine imposed to the Royal Federation of Moroccan Football is reduced to $50,000.”

The ruling by CAS implies Morocco would be allowed to enter for the qualification series of the 2017 AFCON, along with Tunisia that reached a compromise with CAF.

CAS meanwhile could also rule over the claim by CAF for $9.1m to be paid by Morocco as damages incurred from having to shift AFCON 2015 at short notice.

“The question related to the compensation of the possible damage caused by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation to the CAF may still be examined by another jurisdiction,” CAS stated.