A dispute between Algeria and Morocco over a map of disputed Western Sahara territory on a team jersey has led to a soccer politics conflict that will be taken to a full appeal hearing at the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The Algerian soccer federation and the USM Alger club are challenging a decision by the Confederation of African Football to allow Moroccan club RS Berkane to wear a jersey that includes disputed territory on a map of Morocco. The dispute has already affected the CAF Confederation Cup semifinals, with games on April 21 and 28 being awarded as 3-0 wins to Berkane.
Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony annexed by Morocco in 1975, remains a contested territory with a ceasefire brokered by the United Nations. Algeria supports the pro-independence Polisario Front in the dispute. The soccer laws prohibit any political, religious, or personal symbols on equipment, leading to the conflict over the disputed map on the Berkane jersey. Algerian authorities seized Berkane’s uniforms at the airport during the semifinal game in Algiers, resulting in the match not taking place. The subsequent game at Berkane’s stadium also did not occur due to a refusal by USM Alger to play against the team wearing the controversial jerseys.
The ongoing dispute has led to a full appeal being brought against CAF, the Moroccan soccer federation, and Berkane. FIFA Council member Fouzi Lekjaa, who serves as the president of the Moroccan federation and a former president of Berkane club, is a key figure in this case. The Court of Arbitration for Sport has not set a timeline for appointing a panel of judges or scheduling a hearing for the appeal. With Berkane scheduled to play in the two-leg final against Zamalek of Egypt in May, it remains uncertain if the appeal will be resolved before these games take place.
Algeria’s decision to cut diplomatic ties with Morocco in 2021 has added a political dimension to the dispute, reflecting the broader tensions between the two countries. The refusal by both sides to back down on the issue of the disputed map on the jersey has escalated the conflict, leading to multiple games being awarded by default to Berkane. Despite an urgent appeal by the Algerians to suspend CAF’s ruling on the shirt, the sports court in Lausanne, Switzerland denied the request last week. The outcome of the full appeal hearing at the Court of Arbitration for Sport will determine the final resolution of this contentious issue.
The soccer politics dispute between Algeria and Morocco highlights the intersection of sport and geopolitics, with the use of symbols and imagery becoming a point of contention in international competitions. The outcome of the appeal will not only impact the immediate matches involving the teams but also have broader implications for future instances where political symbols are introduced in the sports arena. As the exchange of written submissions continues between the two sides, the international sports community awaits the decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport on this contentious issue. The outcome of this appeal could have lasting consequences for the relationship between Algeria and Morocco within the realm of African soccer.
