African football authorities back Moroccan club RS Berkane in shirt dispute with Algeria: match cancelled

The first leg of the CAF confederation semi-final between Moroccan team RS Berkane and USM Alger failed to go head Sunday, in the wake of a dispute over Berkane’s shirt which features a map of Morocco including the disputed region of Western Sahara. 

Algerian customs officials confiscated the shirts when the Moroccan club arrived in Algiers Friday. Berkane have used the same shirt throughout this season’s competition and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) twice upheld their right to wear it over the weekend.

Both teams travelled to the stadium for the match, but while USM Alger appeared on the pitch for kick-off, the Moroccan team refused to leave their dressing room and accept wearing substitute shirts without the map, provided by Algeria.

CAF said the matter “will be referred to competent bodies” and apologized to sponsors, supporters and TV partners for the inconvenience caused.

The second leg between the two teams is due to take place in Berkane on Sunday April 28.