Row over Extended Map of Morocco on Football Shirt Escalates to Court of Arbitration for Sport

The ongoing dispute over a map of Morocco on a football shirt has reached new heights as the Algerian Football Federation (Faf) and club side USM Alger have taken their case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas).

The controversy arose during the Caf Confederation Cup semi-final between USM Alger and RS Berkane, where the latter insisted on wearing a strip featuring a map of Morocco that includes the disputed territory of Western Sahara. This move was seen as a political provocation in Algeria, leading to the match being called off.

Faf and USM Alger have requested Cas to rule that the Berkane shirt violates the laws of the game, Confederation of African Football (Caf) regulations, and Fifa rules. The equipment regulations of Fifa explicitly state that no political statements or images should be included in any kit.

Cas has appointed an arbitral panel to handle the case, with written submissions being exchanged among all parties involved, including Caf, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, and RS Berkane. The outcome of the case will determine whether Berkane will progress to the final of the Confederation Cup.

The dispute is rooted in the long-standing tensions between Algeria and Morocco, particularly concerning the border and the annexation of Western Sahara by Morocco in 1975. The indigenous Sahrawi people, supported by Algeria, have been in conflict with Morocco over the territory.

As the case unfolds at Cas, the fate of USM Alger in the Confederation Cup hangs in the balance. With Zamalek awaiting in the final, the outcome of the dispute will have far-reaching implications for the future of the competition. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.