Algeria Bans Moroccan Soccer Jersey Over Western Sahara Map Dispute

The jersey of the Moroccan club Renaissance de Berkane is undesirable in Algeria. The Algerian authorities have banned its entry onto Algerian soil. The reason is that the jersey contains a map of Morocco including the Sahara. In the eyes of Algeria, it is a provocation. The Moroccan club is accused of "promoting the Moroccanness of the Sahara" while Algeria remains a supporter of the Polisario.

This Algerian decision is criticized by various Moroccan sports and political entities. They consider it a political approach aimed at politicizing sport and undermining the spirit of sports cooperation.

The Sahara issue remains one of the points of friction between Morocco and Algeria. The American recognition of the Moroccanness of the Sahara in exchange for the normalization of diplomatic relations between Morocco and Israel and the change in Spain’s position on the issue have revived tensions between Rabat and Algiers. While the Moroccan autonomy initiative for the Sahara is welcomed by many countries such as Germany and France, the Polisario, supported by Algeria, continues to call for the organization of a referendum.