Algeria Penalized by CAF for Continued Intransigence in Football Matches

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has sanctioned Algerian club USM Alger with a 0-3 forfeit in their African Confederation Cup semi-final match against Moroccan club Renaissance Berkane. In a letter dated April 24, 2024, CAF's Director of Tournaments and Events, Samson Adamu, informed the Algerian Football Federation (FAF) of the decision, citing USM Alger's "continued intransigence."

The match was cancelled due to a row over Berkane's playing jerseys, which featured a map of Morocco that included the disputed Western Sahara territory. Customs officers in Algeria had confiscated Berkane's shirts on these grounds, leading to the match being called off. CAF ruled in favor of Berkane, stating that the club had been using the same jerseys since the start of the tournament.

This incident is the latest in a series of controversies involving Algeria and Morocco in sports competitions. Algeria's U17 handball team recently withdrew from an Arab championship to avoid playing against a Moroccan squad with jerseys bearing the full map of Morocco. Previously, Algerian customs detained jerseys of the RS Berkane football team for the same reason.

FAF president Walid Sadi announced plans to take the case to the "international court of sport" over the issue. However, CAF's decision also included submitting the case to the Disciplinary Jury for possible additional sanctions against USM Alger. It remains doubtful if the Algerian club will honor the return match scheduled for April 28, 2024, in Berkane, Morocco.

Why this matters: The ongoing tensions between Algeria and Morocco over the Western Sahara dispute continue to spill over into the sports arena, leading to match cancellations, withdrawals, and sanctions. These incidents highlight the challenges of separating politics from international sports competitions in the region.

The CAF decision comes amidst deteriorating relations between Algeria and Morocco. In recent years, Algeria has increasingly politicized sports to serve its position on the Western Sahara conflict, leading to its isolation in Africa and the world. As Adamu stated in the CAF letter, Algeria's actions are considered "unlawful acts" that trigger sanctions against its football federation and clubs. The saga is set to continue, with the potential for further withdrawals and severe penalties for Algerian sports teams.

Key Takeaways

• CAF sanctions Algerian club USM Alger with 0-3 forfeit in Confederation Cup semi-final.
• Dispute over Moroccan club Berkane's jerseys featuring Western Sahara map led to match cancellation.
• Ongoing tensions between Algeria and Morocco over Western Sahara spill into sports competitions.
• Algeria's actions considered "unlawful" by CAF, leading to sanctions against its football federation.
• Potential for further withdrawals and penalties for Algerian sports teams in the ongoing saga.