CAF Backs Moroccan Club’s Jersey Map, Dealing Blow to Algeria in Diplomatic Dispute

The setbacks are piling up for Algerian sports on the African scene. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has, once again, approved the jersey of the Renaissance club of Berkane with the complete map of Morocco printed on it. Thus, Algerian clubs could be directly eliminated from African competitions if they face the Renaissance club of Berkane.

At the end of April, CAF had imposed heavy sanctions on Algeria due to the cancellation of the first leg of the semi-finals of the Confederation Cup between the Moroccan club Renaissance of Berkane and the Union Sportive de la Médina d’Alger, on Sunday, April 21, 2024, because of the jersey of the Atlas Lions containing a map of the kingdom including the Sahara. Algiers had expressed its opposition to the Moroccan jersey.

The Algerian authorities had confiscated the jerseys of the Renaissance of Berkane team bearing the map of Morocco during the first leg match. This was followed by a major crisis and the forfeit of USM Alger in the return match in Berkane, with a heavy 6-0 defeat by decision of CAF.