The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has just approved the Renaissance Sportive de Berkane (RSB) jersey, displaying the complete map of Morocco including its Sahara. This decision sparked a strong reaction from the Algerian media, which was quick to express its dissatisfaction. An Algerian media even described this act as “scandal at CAF”while another felt that “CAF, under the influence of the Moroccan lobby, deals a new blow to Algeria”. These virulent reactions reflect a deep disappointment and a feeling of injustice felt by Algeria.
This controversy comes only three months after the Algerian press rejoiced, (too soon, apparently!!!) the absence of the full map of Morocco on the RSB jersey during the match against the Beninese club Dadjè FC last August, counting for the CAF Cup, which was perceived as a symbolic victory by Algeria .
Today, the decision to approve the Berkanis jersey with the map of Morocco including the Sahara has caused a feeling of frustration, Algeria believing that it is an implicit position taken by CAF in a question sensitive geopolitics!!! (Ah good ?!!!)
Faced with this situation, the Algerians are now counting on the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne to challenge this decision. On November 12, officials from the RSB and the Algiers Medina Sports Union (USMA) will be heard by the CAS judges. The final verdict is expected in the coming months and could potentially be a game-changer, although the outcomes of such litigation often remain uncertain.
A possible confrontation between Moroccan and Algerian clubs:
On the field, the Algerian clubs and RS de Berkane could once again find themselves face to face in this edition of the CAF Cup. Algeria has two clubs engaged in the group stage of the competition: USMA and CS Constantine, respectively in groups A and C, while RS Berkane appears in group B. A Moroccan-Algerian confrontation, similar to that of last year, could occur in the semi-finals, further fueling the sporting and extra-sporting rivalries between the two nations.
Morocco
