USM Alger–RS Berkane Match: FAF Appeals to FIFA Ethics Committee Over CAF’s Violation of Law 4

BY: Dr. Hana Saada

ALGIERS- The Algerian Football Federation (FAF) is raising concerns over the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) decision to support the Moroccan club, Renaissance Sportive de Berkane, and the Moroccan Football Federation, in a controversy surrounding the club’s jerseys. The jerseys feature an image encompassing both Moroccan territory and that of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), a move violating CAF’s statutes, the CAF Equipment Regulations, FIFA’s statutes, and the regulations of the International Football Association Board (IFAB).

Despite the binding nature of these regulations, CAF has disregarded them. Correspondences between the FAF, its affiliated club (USM Alger), and CAF to facilitate the organization of the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup match between USM Alger and RS Berkane (Morocco) have proven futile.

CAF’s encouragement for Berkane to insist on playing with the disputed jerseys sets a dangerous precedent and violates its own statutes. This decision seems influenced by powerful Moroccan figure Fouzi Lakjaa, who holds positions in both FIFA and CAF’s Executive Committees.

All attempts by the FAF to alert CAF to the potential violations have been in vain. CAF’s response was a categorical refusal, with Berkane allowed to play with the politically suggestive jerseys.

Encouraged by CAF’s gesture, Berkane officials made it clear that they would not play without the jerseys. The FAF responded by reminding CAF of the consequences, but their appeal was rejected, and Berkane played with the controversial jerseys.

Now, the FAF will request a reasoned decision from CAF as prescribed in the Procedures chapter of FIFA’s statutes. The appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) is not suspensive, so the deadlines for appeal will start from the day the reasoned decision reaches the FAF.

CAF’s actions blatantly violate its own regulations, including its equipment regulations and FIFA’s Law 4, which prohibits political slogans, messages, or images on equipment.

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