Algeria Football– The affair between the Union Sportive Médina d’Algiers (USMA) and the Moroccan club Renaissance Sportive de Berkane (RS Berkane) finally seems to be coming to an end. After long months of legal battle involving several parties, notably the Algerian Football Federation (FAF), the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) and the African Football Confederation (CAF), the Court of Arbitration for Sport (TAS), based in Lausanne, held a crucial hearing by videoconference this Tuesday. The final verdict is expected in the coming weeks.
The origin of this dispute dates back to the two-legged semi-final of the African Confederation Cup (previous edition). The Moroccan club had worn a jersey bearing a message with political connotations, an act prohibited by CAF and FIFA regulations. The FAF and the USMA immediately contacted CAF, denouncing a serious violation of the rules in force. In response, CAF awarded the victory to the Algerian club by forfeit, without the matches being played.
However, this decision was contested by RS Berkane and the FRMF, leading to an appeal procedure which took the case to the CAS. During the hearing, each party presented their arguments in the presence of their lawyers.
The legal representative of CAF, who is also a lawyer for FIFA, argued for the inadmissibility of the complaint from the Algerian parties. According to him, the USMA and the FAF were not directly concerned by the content of Berkane’s jersey. On the other hand, the Algerian club’s lawyers countered that FIFA statutes oblige any party, including clubs and federations, to report any violation of the regulations.
The USMA also stressed that the texts governing CAF competitions are explicit: any outfit displaying a political message is prohibited, and the Moroccan club could have played with a neutral jersey. The FAF, in collaboration with the observer designated by the CAF, had even provided equipment compliant with the regulations to allow Berkane to participate in the meeting.
The debates also focused on political interference in this matter, an argument put forward by Moroccan representatives. However, Algerian lawyers demonstrated that the real political act was initiated by RS Berkane by choosing a controversial jersey.
After hearing the arguments of the different parties, the CAS committee took note of the elements put forward. The final judgment, which will be binding on all parties, could be rendered in the coming days or weeks. This decision will be decisive for the future of the two clubs and for the rules of sports governance on the African continent. In the meantime, the affair remains at the center of media attention and debate between football fans of the two nations.
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