After displaying on social networks a jersey featuring a map of Morocco with the Western Sahara on it, Raja Casablanca seems to have backpedaled and affirms that it will not play with it in the Champions League this evening at 8 p.m.
Raja President Adil Hala spoke on Radio Mars, a Moroccan radio station and he first firmly denied the rumors concerning an alleged reluctance of Yousri Bouzok to wear the jersey in question. According to his statements, a meeting took place with the Algerian player, who refuted the accusations and affirmed his professionalism, pledging to respect all the club's decisions.
Adil Hala above all announced that the team will not wear the controversial jersey. The players will finally play with the outfit used during the preliminary rounds, devoid of the disputed card and displaying only the Moroccan flag. According to him, the jersey published on the networks was just a version which will be put on sale in the club's stores.
This situation which recalls the episode involving the RS Berkane and USM Alger last season, seems to show either a fear on the part of Raja in the event of a decision by the CAS in Lausanne confirming the ban on using such elements on jerseys, or a small provocation, whether controlled or not, on the part of the Moroccan neighbors.
This is all the more strange given the relations between Raja and certain Algerian clubs considered close but also because the design of the jerseys was chosen well in advance of the matches by CAF.
DZfoot
