An Algerian club risks boycotting a match in Morocco

While the draw for the quarter-finals of the African Confederation Cup (CAF) is imminent, the Union Sportive de la Médina d’Algiers fears that a new dispute will oppose it to the Moroccan club Renaissance de Berkane because of the Lion Cubs of the Atlas jersey containing a map of the kingdom including the Sahara in the event of a match against Moroccan players.

Last year, a dispute over the jersey containing a map of Morocco incorporating the Sahara worn by Moroccan players ended up causing the cancellation of the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup semi-finals scheduled for Sunday April 21 2024 between the Algerian team USM Alger and the Moroccan team RS Berkane. The Algerian players had in fact refused to play against the Moroccan team because of its jersey. In the process, CAF officially approved the Renaissance Sportive de Berkane (RSB) jersey flocked with the full map of Morocco for the 2024-2025 season, before inflicting heavy sanctions on Algeria due to the cancellation of this meeting. This year, the governing body of African football has decided to maintain the same jersey.