CAF Imposes Heavy Sanctions on Algeria for Political Interference in Football Match

30 April 2024 – bySylvanus@Bladi · 2 min read

Political interference in African football is costing Algeria dearly. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has imposed heavy sanctions on it due to the cancellation of the first leg of the Confederation Cup semi-finals between the Moroccan club Renaissance de 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 integrating the Sahara. Other sanctions will certainly be taken in the coming days.

The Appeals Committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has rejected the appeal of the Union Sportive de la Médina d’Alger team against the decision of the CAF Interclubs Competitions Organization Commission. The latter awarded the victory to the Renaissance de Berkane team by three goals to zero, confirming the previous decisions of the Clubs Commission.

In a statement, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) stated that it was informed on Friday, April 26, 2024 of the decision rendered by the CAF Appeals Committee, following the appeal filed by the USM Alger club. It stated that the CAF Appeals Committee had rejected the appeal of USM Alger against the decisions taken by the Commission, including the sanction imposed on the Algerian club by default (0-3) following the cancellation of the match opposing it to Renaissance Sportive de Berkane, counting for the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup semi-final. The committee also confirmed the decisions taken by the CAF Interclubs Competitions Organization Commission and the Club Licensing Management System on Wednesday, April 24. These decisions were unanimously endorsed by the nine members of the Commission.

The dispute over the jersey containing a map of Morocco integrating the Sahara worn by the Moroccan players ultimately led to the cancellation of the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup semi-finals scheduled for Sunday evening, April 21, between the Algerian team USM Alger and the Moroccan team RS Berkane. The match between the two clubs did not take place despite the decision of the Interclubs Competitions Organization Commission authorizing RS Berkane to wear its jerseys in Algiers. A political interference that the governing body of African football does not tolerate.

According to observers, other sanctions could be taken by CAF against Algeria. All Algerian football clubs and teams risk being deprived of international competitions for at least two years.

Category: Sport

Keywords:

Algeria Algiers Moroccan Sahara Atlas Lions Confederation of African Football Renaissance Sportive de Berkane