The ongoing soccer politics dispute between Algeria and Morocco over a map of disputed Western Sahara territory on a team jersey has escalated to a full appeal hearing at the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The court announced that the two sides are currently exchanging written submissions, with no specific timetable set for appointing a panel of judges or setting a date for the hearing. The dispute stems from a decision by the Confederation of African Football to allow Moroccan club RS Berkane to wear team jerseys that include the disputed territory on a map of Morocco. This decision has had significant repercussions, particularly on the CAF Confederation Cup, affecting the semifinal games between USM Alger and Berkane.
The Algerian soccer federation and USM Alger club are challenging CAF’s decision, which resulted in both semifinal games between the two clubs being awarded as 3-0 wins to Berkane. The defending champions, USM Alger, are facing the possibility of further sanctions as a result of the dispute. Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony annexed by Morocco in 1975, continues to be a source of contention between the two countries. The United Nations brokered a cease-fire between Morocco and the pro-independence Polisario Front, supported by Algeria, which lasted until four years ago. The rift between Algeria and Morocco deepened in 2021 when Algeria cut diplomatic ties with Morocco.
According to the laws of soccer, equipment must not display any political, religious, or personal slogans, statements, or images. This regulation has prompted the dispute between Algeria and Morocco over the team jerseys featuring the disputed territory map. Berkane’s team uniforms were seized by Algerian authorities upon their arrival in Algiers for a game, causing the scheduled match to be canceled. Despite attempts by the Algerian club to have the shirts prohibited, CAF ruled in favor of Berkane, awarding them a 3-0 win by default. A subsequent game in Berkane’s stadium saw USM Alger refuse to play if Berkane wore the controversial jerseys, leading to another default win for Berkane.
An urgent appeal by Algerian authorities to suspend CAF’s ruling on the shirt was denied by the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland. The full appeal has now been lodged against CAF, the Moroccan soccer federation, and Berkane, raising questions about the potential conflict of interest due to the involvement of influential officials like FIFA Council member Fouzi Lekjaa, who serves as president of the Moroccan federation and has ties to the Berkane club. The uncertainty surrounding the outcome of the appeal has added further tension to the situation as Berkane prepares for the two-leg final against Zamalek of Egypt on May 12 and 19. It remains to be seen whether the Algerian appeal will be resolved before the final games are played, potentially impacting the outcome of the CAF Confederation Cup.
