The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has made a significant ruling in the case involving the Algerian Football Federation and Moroccan club Renaissance Berkane during the 2024 CAF Confederation Cup. The dispute arose from a map of Morocco, which included the disputed Western Sahara region, being displayed on Berkane’s jerseys.
This contentious map led to the cancellation of both legs of the semi-final match between Berkane and Algerian club USM Alger. As a result, USM Alger was expelled from the tournament. The inclusion of the Western Sahara territory on Berkane’s shirts sparked objections from Algeria, which has had strained diplomatic relations with Morocco since 2021, partly due to the ongoing Western Sahara dispute.
Western Sahara, a region claimed by the Algeria-backed Polisario Front seeking independence, is largely controlled by Morocco. The presence of the disputed territory on the football jerseys created a political controversy that could not be ignored.
Initially, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) supported Berkane, stating that the club had been using the same jerseys throughout the competition. However, the Algerian FA took the case to CAS, which ultimately ruled in favor of Algeria. CAS determined that the inclusion of the map on Berkane’s shirts violated regulations, particularly the International Football Association Board (IFAB) laws prohibiting political messages on football equipment.
Despite ruling against Berkane, CAS clarified that the decision would not impact the results of the tournament. In the end, Egypt’s Zamalek emerged victorious in the CAF Confederation Cup, defeating Berkane on away goals in the final.
The ruling by CAS serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to regulations and avoiding political statements in sporting events. It also highlights the complexities of geopolitical disputes that can spill over into the world of sports.
