An opinion piece recently published by the news platform Newslooks, based in Washington, DC in the United States, narrates the events that took place before the CAF Confederation Cup (CAF CC) match between USM Alger/USMA of Algeria and RS Berkane/RSB of Morocco, scheduled to be played in Algeria, where “…the military regime has been a pivotal force in shaping not only political and economic landscapes but also cultural and recreational spaces such as sports.”
Upon arrival at Houari Boumediene Airport, Algerian authorities confiscated the Berkane delegation’s jerseys. The jerseys were confiscated because they “…displayed a complete map of Morocco, including the Moroccan Sahara,” the writer said.
The article, entitled “Algeria: The Military Interferes in Sports and Uses It Politically,” highlights that this recent incident is not an isolated event, but rather part of a pattern of actions by Algeria against Morocco. “This incident is not just about a sports match but also reflects Algeria’s ongoing hostile political discord toward Morocco.”
According to the piece, Algeria’s actions go beyond sports and are rooted in political discord. As stated by the writer, “Algeria holds a hostile political discord toward Morocco, which has historically influenced various forms of engagements, including sports.”
He added, “The confiscation of the jerseys could be perceived as an extension of these broader geopolitical tensions.”
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) intervened in a dispute between Moroccan and Algerian authorities. CAF sent an urgent letter to the Algerian officials, requesting the release of jerseys belonging to the Moroccan delegation. It confirmed that the RSB team was authorized to wear their jerseys, as they had been approved by CAF before the competition. In this vein, the writer noted that the African Football Body was in support of the Moroccan team and emphasized the importance of respect for teams’ equipment and uniform rights as essential to maintaining the sporting integrity and fairness of the competition.
The writer described this decision as “crucial,” as it was welcomed by football fans and commentators and he suggested that it serves as an example of how “similar incidents should be handled in the future.”
The author also claimed that all teams competing in contests should have an equal and fair chance, free of any unwarranted “external influences” or “disruptions.”
He further discussed the decision as being a “message” about sportsmanship and separating politics from sports, suggesting that this decision promotes unity and fairness in African football.
In addition to discussing the immediate implications of the incident, the report pointed out that such incidents could impact “team morale, logistical arrangements, and the overall atmosphere of continental competitions; therefore, having “clear regulations” for the treatment of visiting sports teams and their equipment is important to prevent incidents.”
Continuing on the same point of the repercussions of the interference of the Algerian military regime in sports, the writer stated, “This involvement has profound implications for the Algerian youth, influencing their ideologies and societal engagement.”
In Algeria, military power control and meddling promote physical fitness through sports whilst simultaneously serving as a platform for pure politics and ideology. “Sports clubs, events, and national teams often become vehicles for promoting nationalistic values instilled by the regime.” He added, “This is evident in various national and international sporting events where messaging and symbolism can sometimes reflect broader state or military-driven narratives.”
The story suggested that the militarization of sporting events could influence and contain “skewed” perceptions of nationalism in international relations, and in competitions among young athletes and fans.
Algeria “…has a long history of political tension and civil unrest,” with the military often involved in government. This militarized approach extends to sporting events, to guarantee that young people seeking reform and dissent are continually exposed to the regime’s messages and directives.
In the paper’s conclusion, the author emphasized the difficulty that Algeria faces in maintaining a balance between the control of its military regime and the desire to encourage an independent and flourishing sports culture that can thrive without undue political intervention. Meanwhile, he also stated that critics suggest that “the healthiest sports environments are those where political neutrality allows athletes to compete based purely on skill and teamwork, rather than political allegiance or propaganda.”