The game between RS Berkane of Morocco and USMA of Algeria in the first leg of the Confederation Cup semis was called off on Sunday due to a dispute over the Moroccan team jerseys.
The Algerian authorities refused to release the jerseys of the Moroccan side, leading to the game’s cancellation.
Initially scheduled for Sunday, the Moroccan team did not appear on the pitch alongside the hosts and the referee.
The crisis began when the Algerian authorities at the Houari Boumediene Airport confiscated the RS Berkane jerseys, which featured the full map of Morocco, including its Southern provinces.
Relations between Algeria and Morocco have been tense for decades, particularly due to the contentious issue of the disputed Western Sahara.
While Morocco considers it an integral part of its kingdom, Algeria has supported the Polisario movement, which seeks independence for the region.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) Clubs committee requested the Algerian Football Federation to coordinate with the Algerian authorities to release the Moroccan team’s jerseys.
However, the Algerian Football Federation appealed the decision, arguing that the jerseys contained a map not approved by the United Nations.
The appeal committee upheld the decision of the Clubs committee, which deemed the Moroccan team’s jerseys featuring the full map of Morocco as legitimate.
No decision has been made regarding the fate of the game, and its rescheduling or cancellation remains uncertain.
[Ahram Online]
