The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) dismissed the Algerian Football Federation’s (FAF) plea for an urgent suspension of the decision favoring Renaissance Sportive de Berkane (RSB) in the CAF Confederation Cup semi-final first leg against USM d’Alger.
Here’s the breakdown of the ongoing controversy.
CAS President clarified that FAF couldn’t compel CAF to halt the CAF Cup amidst the case review, citing potential financial issues with sponsors and broadcast rights holders.
The examination of FAF’s grievance is not scheduled in CAS’s upcoming hearings for May, June, and July.
The dispute sparked when Algerian authorities seized RS Berkane’s gear before the first leg of the semi finals in Algeria, objecting to Morocco’s full map on the jerseys, including disputed territories of Western Sahara.
Despite CAF’s backing of Berkane’s jerseys, the standoff led to the game’s cancellation.
CAF rules stipulate a $50,000 fine and a two-edition ban for teams withdrawing after reaching quarter-finals or semi-finals.
USM Alger faced these consequences after opting out of the second leg in Morocco, leading to a 0-3 loss and potential further sanctions from CAF’s disciplinary committee.
