The Confederation of African Football (CAF) “penalized” Algerian Club USM Alger on Wednesday, ruling that it had forfeited the match 0-3 against Renaissance Sportive Berkane (RSB), and that the return match would still be held at the municipal stadium of Berkane next Sunday.
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) stated that a CAF panel agreed to send the case to the disciplinary committee to determine possible extra fines against Algerian officials.
The decision comes after Algerian officials seized RS Berkane’s jerseys late last week for depicting the whole map of Morocco, and barred the Moroccan team from competing in the CAF Confederation Cup semifinals.
Despite a previous decision by CAF approving the jerseys, Algerian officials refused to allow the squad to compete in the semi-final first leg with their official gear.
The Algerian Football Federation (FAF) provided erroneous alternate jerseys featuring only the sponsor’s name and the Moroccan flag, but the RSB players refused to wear them.
Upon arrival at the stadium, the RS Berkane players and staff clarified their position to the match referee, stating that they would refuse to participate if not allowed to wear their official jerseys, which are approved by the CAF.
Many have criticized Algeria’s move as part of a smear campaign aimed at undermining Morocco’s territorial integrity and sovereignty over its southern regions in the Sahara.