The African Confederation Cup game between Algeria’s USM Alger and Renaissance Berkane of Morocco was cancelled minutes before kick-off due to a dispute over Berkane’s jerseys.
Renaissance Berkane travelled to Algeria on Friday ahead of Sunday’s semi-final first leg against USM Alger. According to Algerian media, customs authorities confiscated Berkane’s shirts on arrival citing concerns about a map of Morocco displayed on them, specifically highlighting the disputed Western Sahara territory. The team staff and players were filmed clashing with Algerian authorities at the airport.
According to AFP, USM Alger’s sporting director Toufik Korichi took to Algerian radio just before the scheduled kick-off to announce the game’s cancellation due to Berkane refusing to play in alternate jerseys.
Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony, is predominantly governed by Morocco with the Algeria-supported Polisario Front advocating its independence. Diplomatic ties between Algeria and Morocco were severed in 2021, partly due to this dispute. Morocco will co-host the 2030 World Cup along with Spain and Portugal.
The day before the match, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) responded to an appeal against the shirts submitted by the Algerian Football Federation (FAF) by saying Berkane had used the same shirts throughout the tournament.
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FAF President Wafi Sadi then announced his intention to escalate the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). “Our position is clear, we will not back down and we are ready for anything,” he said. He also claimed Berkane would be supplied with “high-quality shirts” which did not show the disputed map.
That move was refused by Berkane with club president Hakim Benabdellah telling Moroccan media outlet Hespress, “There will be no debate on this subject. There will be no match without shirts with the complete map of the Kingdom of Morocco.”
CAF released a statement late on Sunday reading, “The TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup first leg semi-final fixture today, 21 April 2024, between USM Alger and RS Berkane in Algiers, Algeria did not take place as scheduled. The matter will be referred to the competent bodies. CAF apologizes for any inconvenience caused to our sponsors, TV partners and the supporters.”
