CAF declares RS Berkane winner, subjects Algeria’s USMA to sanctions

RS Berkane was declared winner of an African Confederation Cup game opposing it to USM Alger although it did not play due to Algerian authorities’ refusal to hand them their jerseys.

Algerian customs withheld jerseys because they bore the full map of Morocco including the Saharan provinces.

CAF had asked Algerian football federation to make sure RS Berkane receives its jerseys. Such a call fell on deaf ear of the Algerian football federation (FAF) which backed the decision of Algerian authorities saying banning RS Berkane jerseys was a question of sovereignty.

CAF ruled that in banning RS Berkane jerseys, USM Alger lost three to null.

A jury will later issue sanctions against USM Alger, CAF said in a statement.

It also maintained the date and the venue of the return game opposing the two teams in Berkane on April 28, at 20:00.

FAF president has doubled down saying authorities were right in withholding RS Berkane jerseys saying USM Alger will boycott the return game in Morocco due to the map.

The incident highlights Algeria’s intention to politicize sports in its desperate support for a Polisario separatist thesis in Morocco’s Sahara.