Morocco Threatens U17 AFCON Boycott Over Direct Flight Dispute with Algeria

A new standoff is looming between Morocco and Algeria. On Radiomars, Fouzi Lekjaa, president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) announced that Morocco could boycott the U17 AFCON if the Atlas Cubs are not allowed to travel to Algeria, where the competition will take place, by direct flight. A request that the Algerian authorities had rejected a few weeks ago when it came to Morocco’s participation, as defending champion, in the 7th edition of the African Nations Championship for local players (CHAN) which took place from January 13 to February 4 in Algeria. Result: the Moroccan sports authorities had opted for the boycott of the competition.

Since September 2021, Algeria has closed its airspace to Moroccan civilian and military aircraft and those with a Moroccan registration number, after breaking off diplomatic relations with its western neighbor a month earlier.