after RS Berkane, Raja challenges Algeria and CAF

Monday 25th November 2024 10:04 PM

Algeria Football– Raja Casablanca, one of the most prestigious clubs in Moroccan football, recently presented its new jersey intended for the African Champions League through a promotional video published on its official platforms. This jersey quickly sparked considerable controversy due to the inclusion of a controversial map of Morocco, depicting Western Sahara as an integral part of Moroccan territory.

This card, described as a “fictitious card”, has been at the center of numerous political and sporting tensions in the past. This choice of Raja Casablanca has revived the debate, particularly in sporting circles, where some believe that such representations have no place in sport.

This situation recalls a notable precedent involving USM Alger, an Algerian club which refused to play a match against RS Berkane during a previous edition of the CAF Cup. The dispute arose when the Moroccan club’s jersey also featured this same controversial card. This refusal led to the elimination of USM Algiers from the competition, illustrating the depth of sensitivities around this issue.

The integration of this card into sports equipment raises questions about the involvement of politics in sport. Although some defend this choice as an affirmation of national identity, others denounce an unnecessary provocation which risks compromising the values of unity and respect advocated by international sports competitions.

For the moment, no official reaction from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has been recorded regarding this controversy. However, tensions could intensify if this situation were to influence the progress of future meetings.

In this context, observers fear that such controversies will distract attention from the real sporting issues. Raja Casablanca, known for its immense popularity on the continent, could see its image affected internationally if this controversy were to take on greater proportions.

As the African Champions League prepares to begin, the controversy surrounding this jersey once again highlights the challenges that African football faces in maintaining a clear separation between sport and politics.