The Algerian Football Federation has come out victorious in their appeal against a decision to allow Moroccan club RS Berkane to wear shirts displaying an extended map of their country before their match against USM Alger in the CAF Confederation Cup last season.

The Confederation of African Football (Caf) had approved RS Berkane’s kit to be worn in continental competition, despite the fact the map included parts that are disputed by the two North African nations.

USM Alger refused to play the match, a semi-final clash against RS Berkane over what they called provocation with the Caf disciplinary committee awarding Berkane two 3-0 victories, and Caf subsequently dismissed an appeal from USM Alger.

USM Alger and the Algeria FA too the case to CAS which has ruled the shirts are contrary to Caf regulations and the laws of world governing body Fifa and annulled the decision by the Caf appeals body to maintain the approval of the shirts.

USM Alger hailed a “well-deserved victory” that “enhances the team’s rights and supports the principles of sports justice” in a post on social media.

Despite the ruling, the outcome of the CAF Confederation Cup which Egypt’s Zamalek won after beating RS Berkane will not be affected.

In their ruling, CAF stated that the extended map on Berkane’s shirt depicts “a message, a demonstration or propaganda of a political nature” as it represents “the assertion of a territorial dispute that is contested and still unresolved”.

This, according to CAF is violation of Caf’s regulations and Fifa laws which prohibit any content of a political nature on all equipment.

The Cas decision included the assertion Caf “is bound to respect and implement the duty of political neutrality”.

USM Alger and Berkane could meet again in the semi-finals of this season’s competition

The post CAS rules in Algeria FA favour in row over Morocco Map on RS Berkane kit appeared first on Kawowo Sports.