In a surprising turn of events, the CAF Confederation Cup first leg semi-final fixture between USM Alger and RS Berkane, slated for 21 April in Algiers, Algeria, was marred by controversy as RS Berkane’s arrival at their dressing room revealed an unexpected jersey switch.The disagreement stemmed from RS Berkane’s discovery of jerseys displaying the map of Morocco, allegedly including the occupied Western Sahara region within its borders. This move was interpreted as a politically motivated action and a clear provocation by the visiting team.RS Berkane checked in their dressing room only to find this shirts hanged without Morocco’s map on it. They said they won’t wear it for the game which starts in next 50 minutes.At this stage, I don’t know what to say about African football again. 😬#cafccwithmicky… pic.twitter.com/CdU1jw13Zd— Micky Jnr (@MickyJnr__) April 21, 2024 In response, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) swiftly intervened, convening the CAF Interclub Competitions and Management of the Club Licensing System Committee to address the issue. Following deliberations, the committee made the following decisions;-1. Forfeiture and Sanction: USM Alger was sanctioned with a forfeit of 0-3 for their involvement in the jersey controversy. This decision was made to uphold the integrity of the competition and deter any future attempts to politicize football events. CAFCC: Zamalek held by Dreams FC in Cairo2. Referral to Disciplinary Board: The case was forwarded to the Disciplinary Board for further investigation and the potential imposition of additional sanctions. CAF aims to ensure that such incidents are dealt with decisively and in accordance with established regulations.3. Second leg to proceed: Despite the setback, the scheduled second leg fixture between RS Berkane and USM Alger at the Berkane Municipal Stadium on April 28, 2024, remains unaffected. Both teams are expected to adhere to the rules and spirit of fair play in the upcoming encounter.##NAJAVA_MECA_8056179##
