Algerian appeal in row over map of Morocco upheld

An appeal by the Algerian Football Federation (Faf) against the decision to allow a Moroccan club to wear a shirt showing an extended map of the country has been upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas), reported BBC Sport on February 26th.

The Confederation of African Football (Caf) had allowed for RS Berkane’s kit to be worn even though the map included the disputed territory of Western Sahara as part of Morocco.

The design is viewed as a political provocation in Algeria and led to the calling off of both legs of last season’s Caf Confederation Cup semi-final tie between Berkane and Algerian club USM Alger.

A Caf disciplinary committee decided both legs would be 3-0 victories for Berkane, and Caf then dismissed an appeal from USM Alger.

USM Alger and Faf took the case to Cas, who ruled that the shirts are contrary to Caf regulations and the laws of Fifa. This overruled the decision by the Caf appeals body to maintain the approval of the wearing of the shirts.

USM Alger on social media praised a “well-deserved victory” that “enhances the team’s rights and supports the principles of sports justice.”

BBC Sport