Football: CAF hammers USM Alger with $40,000 fine for refusing to play against Morocco’s RS Berkane

The African Football Confederation has slapped Algerian football club USMA with $40,000 preliminary fine for refusing to play last April against Moroccan RS Berkane club in the CAF Cup semi-final due to their jersey displaying Morocco’s map, including the Sahara.

The RS Berkane kit was approved by CAF. Berkane have used the same jersey throughout the season’s competition – as well as a similar design in previous continental campaigns.

After refusing to take to the pitch, CAF had punished the Algerian club with 0-3 defeat in the first leg and 0-3 defeat in the second leg. The African football governing body also declared Berkane winners in the game and they qualified for the final of the CAF Cup won by Zamalek of Egypt.

Besides the $40,000 fine in compensation for financial loss suffered by CAF sponsors and TV broadcasters for forfeit matches, the USM Alger and the Algerian football federation USM Alger could face further sanctions for confiscating the approved CAF kit and violating the copyrights of the sponsors of Berkane club.
Another Algerian club, MCA is also facing CAF sanctions for violent clashes, vandalism and the tragic death of an Algerian fan during African Champions League match played at home against Tunisia’s US Monastir.