Anger in Algeria after CAF green light for RSB jersey with Morocco map

The Competitions Commission of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has approved the Berkane Sports Renaissance jersey flocked with the map of Morocco, integrating the Sahara. A decision condemned by the Algerian sports press. One media denounced a “scandal at CAF”, while another medium considered that “CAF is dealing a new blow to Algeria”.

This anger indeed reflects a deep disappointment. Three months ago, the press in the eastern neighbor was jubilant the day after the matches which opposed, last August on behalf of the African Football Confederation Cup, the RSB to the Beninese club of Dadjè, that the Berkanis had competed with their traditional jersey but without the complete map of the kingdom. CAF did not then give the green light.

After this setback, the Algerians are betting on the Sports Arbitration Court in Lausanne. Officials from the RSB and the Medina Algiers Sports Union (USMA) will be heard on November 12 by the CAS judges. The final verdict is expected to be rendered in the coming months.

Algeria has two clubs engaged in the group stage of the 2024-2025 CAF Cup: USMA and CS Constantine, respectively placed in groups A and C while RS Berkane is in group B. Moroccan-Algerian duel could take place, like last year with a CAF verdict favorable to Berkanis, during the semi-finals of the CAF Cup.