ALBAWABA - A highly anticipated match between Morocco's Renaissance de Berkane and Algeria's Union Sportive de la Medina was cancelled due to a jersey design dispute. Moroccan jersey disputes cancelled the African Football Confederation Cup semi-final on Sunday, April 21, 2024.
Hungarian Foreign Minister: Preparations for third world war allegedly underway in BrusselsRenaissance de Berkane's team arrived at Algeria's Houari Boumediene Airport on Friday, April 19, sparking the issue. Local security personnel denied the team's luggage due to the Moroccan team's uniform design, which included a map of Western Sahara.
As each side accused the other, Moroccan and Algerian media covered this episode. Moroccan media Hespress, citing insider sources, alleged Renaissance de Berkane players' unwarranted harassment in Algeria. Algerian tabloid El Chorouk accused Morocco of politicizing sports.
The African Union urged the Algerian Football Federation to let Renaissance de Berkane reclaim their jerseys and continue the play as emotions rose. Algeria refused, alleging the Moroccan team's shirt design didn't match UN maps.
The match announcers showed Renaissance de Berkane's players in white jerseys without the map as the disagreement persisted. Reports further said the Algerian Football Federation gave the Moroccan team other shirts.
This surprising development highlights Morocco-Algeria diplomatic relations, which have been tense since Algeria broke ties in 2021. Morocco's normalization of relations with Israel and the Western Sahara crisis escalate tensions between the two neighbors.
