CAF ruled on Thursday in favor of RS Berkane and qualified it for the final of the African Football Confederation Cup. USM Algiers, its opponent in the semi-final, refused to play the matches because of the Moroccan club’s jersey which displays a map of Morocco including Western Sahara, a subject of tension between the two Maghreb countries.
Published on: 03/05/2024 – 10:17
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When diplomatic tensions enter football… The Moroccan club RS Berkane qualified on Thursday May 3 for the final of the African Football Confederation Cup.
A victory without firing a shot. Its opponent, the Algerian team USM Alger, refused to play the semi-finals due to a dispute over the jersey worn by the Moroccans: it features a map of Morocco including Western Sahara.
This vast territory, a former Spanish colony, is approximately 80% controlled by Morocco but claimed by the Sahrawi separatists of the Polisario Front, supported by Algeria. Algeria broke off diplomatic relations with its great regional rival in 2021, particularly because of this issue.
Victoire 3-0
CAF decided to award the victory to the Renaissance sportive de Berkane 3-0 in the return match, which was scheduled for last Sunday, after having already awarded it the victory in the first leg by the same score.
According to Algerian media, customs officers confiscated the jerseys of Berkane’s team upon his arrival in Algeria to play the first leg. The Moroccan players refused to play with another jersey, which no longer included Western Sahara.
USM Alger, defending champion of this continental competition, traveled to Morocco for the return match but once again refused to enter the field.
Before the first leg, CAF had stressed that RS Berkane had been playing with this jersey flocked with the same card since the start of the tournament.
USM Algiers appealed CAF’s decision to the Administrative Sports Tribunal.
In the final, Berkane will face the Egyptian club Zamalek. The first leg will be played on May 12, the return a week later.
With AFP
