A soccer politics dispute between Algeria and Morocco over a map of disputed Western Sahara territory on a team jersey is heading to a full appeal hearing at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
The Algerian soccer federation and USM Alger club are contesting a decision by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) allowing Moroccan club, RS Berkane to sport jerseys featuring a map of Morocco that includes the contentious region.
The disagreement has disrupted the CAF Confederation Cup semi-final matches between the two teams. A match on April 21 in Algiers was canceled after Berkane refused to don replacement shirts provided by the home team, following the seizure of the Moroccans’ uniforms by Algerian authorities at the airport.
CAF determined that the Algerian club breached competition rules, resulting in Berkane being awarded a 3-0 win by default. An urgent appeal by the Algerians to suspend CAF’s ruling on the shirt was rejected last week by the sports court in Lausanne, Switzerland. On April 28, defending champions, USM Alger traveled to Berkane’s stadium for the second leg but declined to play if the hosts wore the disputed jerseys. Consequently, CAF awarded a second default win to Berkane.
While soccer regulations dictate that “equipment must not have any political, religious, or personal slogans, statements, or images,” the Moroccan team has been wearing the controversial jersey throughout the season.
The court stated on Thursday that the two sides “are currently exchanging written submissions,” with no timetable set for appointing a panel of judges or a hearing date. Berkane is slated to compete in the two-leg final on May 12 and 19 against Egypt’s Zamalek, but it remains uncertain if the Algerian appeal will be resolved before these games.
The full appeal now targets CAF, the Moroccan soccer federation, and Berkane. Notably, FIFA Council member, Fouzi Lekjaa, who holds significant influence within the African soccer body, serves as president of the Moroccan federation and former president of the Berkane club.
Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony, was annexed by Morocco in 1975. A ceasefire brokered by the United Nations between Morocco and the pro-independence Polisario Front, backed by Algeria, held until four years ago. Algeria severed diplomatic ties with Morocco in 2021.
