CAF Confed Cup: Berkane gets CAF sympathy as USMA losses 3-0

RS Berkane have been declared winners of the African Confederations Cup game against USMA off the field, as Algerian authorities’ refused to hand Berkane its jerseys, with the later denying to show up on match day without its kits.

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 ears 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 nil.

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, adding that USM Alger will boycott the return game in Morocco.

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