Algeria, Morocco Soccer Dispute over Western Sahara Territory on Team Jersey to Go to Full Appeal Hearing

A soccer politics dispute between Algeria and Morocco over a map of disputed Western Sahara territory on a team jersey will go to a full appeal hearing at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The court said Thursday the two sides "are currently exchanging written submissions" and set no timetable for appointing a panel of judges and setting a date for a hearing.

Algeria and Morocco are set to face off in a full appeal hearing at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) over a dispute regarding a map of disputed Western Sahara territory on a team jersey.

The controversy stems from the Confederation of African Football's (CAF) decision to allow Moroccan club RS Berkane to wear a jersey featuring the disputed territory during a CAF Confederation Cup semifinal match against Algerian club USM Alger.

USM Alger and the Algerian soccer federation have challenged CAF's decision, arguing that the jersey violates soccer laws prohibiting political statements or images on equipment.

The dispute has already affected the teams' semifinal, with both games scheduled on April 21 and 28 being awarded as 3-0 wins to Berkane by CAF.

Berkane is now scheduled to play the two-leg final on May 12 and 19 against Zamalek of Egypt, but the CAS has not indicated whether the Algerian appeal will be judged before those games.

Western Sahara is a former Spanish colony that was annexed by Morocco in 1975. The United Nations brokered a cease-fire between Morocco and the pro-independence Polisario Front, which is supported by Algeria, that held until four years ago.

Algeria cut diplomatic ties with Morocco in 2021.

CAF refused an Algerian request to prohibit the shirts, and after Berkane refused to wear replacement shirts provided by USM Alger, the game did not go ahead.

CAF ruled the Algerian club was in breach of competition rules and Berkane was awarded a 3-0 win by default.

An urgent appeal by the Algerians to suspend CAF's ruling on the shirt was denied last week by the CAS.

On April 28, USM Alger went to Berkane's stadium for the second leg but refused to play if the hosts wore the jerseys with the map. CAF awarded a second default win to Berkane.

The full appeal in the case has now been brought against CAF, the Moroccan soccer federation, and Berkane.

One of the African soccer body's most influential officials, FIFA Council member Fouzi Lekjaa, is president of the Moroccan federation and a former president of the Berkane club.

The CAS hearing is expected to be a significant test case for the application of soccer laws to political disputes and the role of sport in international relations.