A simmering political dispute between Algeria and Morocco has spilled over into the world of football, with Algeria’s USM Alger club appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) over a jersey worn by Moroccan club RS Berkane.
The heart of the contention lies in a map emblazoned on Berkane’s jersey, which depicts Morocco incorporating the Western Sahara region. Algeria backs the Polisario Front, a group seeking independence for Western Sahara, and views Morocco’s claim to the territory as illegitimate.
The controversy first flared during the CAF Confederation Cup semi-final between the two teams. USM Alger refused to play the first leg in Algiers after Algerian authorities confiscated Berkane’s jerseys upon arrival, deeming the map a political statement. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) subsequently awarded Berkane a 3-0 win by default.
An Algerian attempt to challenge CAF’s decision was rejected, prompting USM Alger’s boycott of the second leg in Berkane. This resulted in another default victory for the Moroccan club.
Algeria’s appeal now targets not just CAF’s rulings, but also the Moroccan football federation and Berkane itself. While football regulations prohibit political symbols on jerseys, Berkane has worn the contentious garment throughout the season without prior objection.
The situation casts a shadow over the upcoming CAF Confederation Cup final, with Berkane scheduled to face Zamalek of Egypt. Whether CAS will rule before the finals remain uncertain.
Adding a layer of complexity is the involvement of Fouzi Lekjaa, a powerful figure in African football. Lekjaa, a FIFA Council member, presides over both the Moroccan Football Federation and, previously, RS Berkane.
The dispute confirms the longstanding political tensions between Algeria and Morocco, with Western Sahara remaining a contentious territory since its annexation by Morocco in 1975. The United Nations-brokered ceasefire between Morocco and the Polisario Front, which had held for years, crumbled four years ago. Diplomatic ties between Algeria and Morocco severed in 2021.
