The Confederation of African Football (CAF) Disciplinary Jury has fined USM Alger USD 40,000 for the club having unreasonably refused to play against Morocco’s RS Berkane, according to a statement from USM on Tuesday.
The decision stems from USM Alger’s decision in April to withdraw from the CAF Confederation Cup semi-final match against RS Berkane because the Moroccan team’s jersey design included a full map of Morocco, including its southern provinces.
— USM Alger (@USMAofficiel) October 8, 2024
Algerian authorities confiscated the jerseys when the Moroccan team arrived in Algiers for the first leg of the match, and refused to return them, resulting in the game being canceled. USM Alger then pulled out of the second leg in Morocco.
In yesterday’s decision, CAF penalized the Algerian team with a 3-0 forfeit for both legs. The disciplinary body also imposed a $40,000 fine. The club could have faced a harsher penalty, such as a suspension from future rounds of the Confederation Cup. USM Alger now has 60 days to pay the fine.
The ruling prolongs the controversy. Some are asking why CAF chose a more lenient sanction when its own regulations provide for stronger penalties in such cases.
USM Alger has announced plans to appeal the decision, maintaining that the club is being unfairly punished for actions beyond its control.