It has become a dramatic saga for African football. The affair between USM Algiers and RS Berkane within the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has revealed issues that go far beyond the simple sphere of sport and politics. The last episode, CAF imposed a sanction of 40,000 dollars on USM Alger due to the too strong hand of the Algerian regime which pushed the Algerian club to commit fraud on the jerseys of an opposing team, that of RS Berkane.
The incident dates back to the group stage match of the CAF Cup, where RS Berkane was refused the opportunity to play with its usual jersey, adorned with the map of Morocco. For many, this refusal is not simply an isolated act, but the illustration of the exploitation of sport for political purposes by the Algerian authorities. By imposing on Moroccan players a counterfeit chasuble “free of charge”, the Algerian leaders have crossed a red line, in defiance of sporting ethics. It is no exaggeration to see this act as an attack on the integrity of football, but also a shameful fraud.
The situation took an even more dramatic turn when, a few weeks after the incident, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) dismissed the Algerian Football Federation and USM Alger by rejecting their request for annulment of the sanction issued by CAF. This setback adds to the humiliation of a team which, through its leaders, seems to be carried away by nationalist passions to the detriment of the good conduct of sport.
The USM Algiers episode is not just an isolated incident; it is symptomatic of a broader problem. The question is how could an entire government mobilize its entire propaganda machine against a club from another country and fail miserably? Yet the answer is simple, with hatred slung over your shoulder, any strategy fails before it takes shape. This is what happened to Algiers and its propaganda apparatus. Indeed, when sport becomes hostage to political considerations, this opens the door to fraudulent behavior, manipulation of regulations, and ultimately, to the disillusionment of supporters who only demand a fair and authentic sporting spectacle.
At a time when CAF and the CAS have made clear decisions against fraud and exploitation, it is essential that all stakeholders mobilize to guarantee the integrity of African football. The sanction imposed on USM Alger, although modest in amount, resonates as a warning for Algerian football which deserves better.
