The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has upheld an appeal by the Algerian Football Federation (FAF) against the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) approval of a Moroccan club’s controversial kit.
RS Berkane’s shirt, featuring an extended map of Morocco that includes the disputed Western Sahara territory, was deemed politically provocative by Algeria. The controversy led to the cancellation of both legs of last season’s CAF Confederation Cup semi-final between Berkane and Algerian club USM Alger.
Following the boycott, CAF’s disciplinary committee awarded Berkane two 3-0 victories, dismissing an appeal by USM Alger. FAF and the Algerian club then took the case to CAS, which ruled that the map violated CAF regulations and FIFA laws, prohibiting political messages on football equipment. CAS also stated that CAF is obligated to maintain political neutrality.
USM Alger celebrated the ruling as a “well-deserved victory” and a step toward “sports justice.” However, the decision does not affect the final result of the 2023-24 Confederation Cup, which Egypt’s Zamalek won after Berkane advanced via walkover.
Algeria and Morocco, whose diplomatic relations remain strained, have long been at odds over Western Sahara. The territory, annexed by Morocco in 1975, is contested by the Polisario Front, which operates with Algerian support. The map dispute has also affected other sports, with Algeria withdrawing from the Arab Youth Handball Championship last year over similar concerns.
CAF has yet to comment on the ruling.
