This past weekend a CAF Confederations Cup semi-final had to be cancelled after Algerian authorities decided to withhold the kits of the visiting team upon their arrival into the country.
Check Out: Esperance Warns Fans To 'Behave' Vs Downs In 2nd Leg
On Sunday evening, a new rivalry was set to be birthed as RS Berkane were supposed to face reigning competition title holders USM Alger at the Stade 5 July 1962 Stadium for the very first time.
However, proceedings were thrown into jeopardy the moment the Moroccan outfit landed at Houari Boumediene Airport.
Upon Berkane's arrival into Algiers, the club had their kits allegedly seized and confiscated because on it displayed an outline of the nation of Morocco which included the Western Sahara.
The Western Sahara is a territory on the northwest coast of Africa which is being fought over by Morocco and a rebel Sahrawi nationalist liberation group named Polisario Front. The former have stated they have a legitimate claim to the region, but Algeria have been backing the latter's efforts to drive them out, having already successfully driven out Mauritania.
It has caused a strain on Algeria and Morocco's relations, and it came to a head when authorities refused to give Berkane their kits back ahead of the crunch final four match. The Algerian Football Federation (FAF) reportedly even went as far as stating they were unaware of the match and requested a formal letter from CAF confirming that maps were allowed on kits.
African football's governing body approved Berkane's usage of the jerseys prior to the season's commencement and rejected the FAF's appeal about the jerseys prior to the match itself, but even after the decision and their subsequent arrival at the Stade du 5 Juillet, the Orange Boys were not given their original kits.
Mouin Chaabani's charges did not take to the pitch as a result and the match did not take place, leading to CAF releasing a statement which said: "The TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup first leg semi-final fixture today, 21 April 2024, between USM Alger and RS Berkane in Algiers, Algeria did not take place as scheduled.
Check Out: WOW: The 5 Biggest Stadiums In Africa
"The matter will be referred to the competent bodies.
"CAF apologizes for any inconvenience caused to our sponsors, TV partners and the supporters."
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.
WATCH VIDEO:
