By Harry Awurumibe, Editor Abuja Bureau
Africa’s football governing body, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially sanctioned Algeria’s USM Alger as the club has been told it has forfeited its home match in the cancelled CAF Confederation Cup semi-final first leg duel with Morocco’s RS Berkane.
An official letter signed by CAF Director of Tournaments and Events, Nigeria’s Samson Adamu has been addressed to the Algerian Football Federation (FAF) to officially notify it of the sanction against USM Alger.
The CAF letter dated April 24, 2024 and sent to Nadir Bouzenad, the General Secretary of FAF, the English translation read in parts: Algerian Football Federation (FAF)
“Subject: Match No 129 USMA (Algeria) vs. RS Berkane (Morocco) of the TotalEnergies Confederation Cup 2023/2024.
At its meeting held on April 24, the Committee for the Organization of Interclub Competitions and the Management of the Club Licensing System decided the following:
1. Sanction Club USMA with a forfeit of 0-3 for match no.129 USMA (Algeria) vs RS Berkane (Morocco) of the TotalEnergies Confederation Cup 2023/2024.
2. Submit the case to the Disciplinary Jury for possible additional sanctions.
3. The return match RS Berkane (Morocco) vs USMA (Algeria) of the TotalEnergies Confederation Cup 2023/2024 – at the Municipal Stadium of Berkane – 8:00 p.m. (local time) on April 28, 2024 is maintained.”
However, it remains to be seen if USM Alger will still honour the return leg match on Sunday in Morocco as Algeria pulled out of an Arab Handball Championship for the same reason that scuttled the CAF Confederation Cup match last Sunday. READ ALSO:
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The Algerians pulled out of a scheduled handball fixture against Morocco because of the map of the Moroccans’ shirts. Pulling out of the Confederation Cup return leg may also attract further sanctions as CAF has indicated.
Prompt News reports that the long standing political differences between the North African countries of Morocco and Algeria have been allowed to spill over to sports and CAF is now wielding the big stick in order to nip such crisis in the bud.
