A soccer politics dispute between Algeria and Morocco over a map of disputed Western Sahara territory on a team jersey will be heard at the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The two sides are currently exchanging written submissions and a panel of judges and hearing date have not yet been set. The Algerian soccer federation and the USM Alger club from Algiers are challenging a decision by the Confederation of African Football to allow Moroccan club RS Berkane to wear jerseys that include disputed territory on a map of Morocco. This dispute has already affected games in the CAF Confederation Cup, with both semifinal games being awarded as 3-0 wins to Berkane. The court did not indicate if the Algerian appeal will be judged before the final games. Western Sahara is a former Spanish colony annexed by Morocco in 1975, and the United Nations brokered a cease-fire between Morocco and the pro-independence Polisario Front, which Algeria supports.
Algeria and Morocco have a long-standing diplomatic dispute, with Algeria cutting ties with Morocco in 2021. The laws of soccer state that equipment must not have any political, religious, or personal slogans, statements, or images. Berkane had their team uniforms seized at an airport by Algerian authorities before the scheduled game. CAF refused to prohibit the shirts and, after Berkane refused to wear replacement shirts provided by USM Alger, the scheduled game did not take place. CAF ruled that USM Alger was in breach of competition rules and awarded Berkane a 3-0 win by default. An urgent appeal by the Algerians to suspend CAF’s ruling was denied by the sports court in Lausanne. In a second leg game, USM Alger refused to play if Berkane wore jerseys with the disputed map, and CAF awarded a second default win to Berkane. The full appeal has now been lodged against CAF, the Moroccan soccer federation, and Berkane.
The Confederation of African Football has scheduled a two-leg final between Berkane and Zamalek of Egypt, but it has not been indicated if the Algerian appeal will be heard before these games. One of the African soccer body’s most influential officials, FIFA Council member Fouzi Lekjaa, is the president of the Moroccan federation and a former president of the Berkane club. The soccer dispute highlights the ongoing political tensions between Algeria and Morocco over the disputed territory of Western Sahara. The dispute over the team jersey has escalated to the highest sports court, with both sides exchanging written submissions but no hearing date has been set yet. The full appeal has been brought against CAF, the Moroccan soccer federation, and Berkane.
The soccer politics dispute has already affected games in the CAF Confederation Cup, with USM Alger being the defending champion. The Algerian soccer federation and the USM Alger club are challenging a decision by CAF to allow Berkane to wear the controversial jerseys. The politics surrounding the dispute are deep-rooted, with Algeria supporting the pro-independence Polisario Front, while Morocco has annexed Western Sahara since 1975. The laws of soccer prohibit political, religious, or personal statements on equipment, leading to conflicts between the clubs and authorities. The ongoing diplomatic tensions between Algeria and Morocco have spilled over into the sports realm, creating challenges for both sides and the Confederation of African Football.
The refusal of Berkane to wear replacement uniforms and the subsequent default wins awarded to them by CAF have led to further escalation and legal challenges. Algeria’s attempts to suspend the rulings have been denied, and the situation remains unresolved. The full appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport will provide a platform for both parties to present their arguments and seek a resolution to the dispute. The involvement of influential figures within African soccer adds another layer of complexity to the case, as the political and sports realms intersect in this ongoing conflict. The decision of the court will have implications for future games and competitions involving the clubs and federations, highlighting the broader impact of geopolitical disputes on the world of sports.
