Hommam Al Nassim 
The “shirt crisis” between Moroccan and Algerian teams has been renewed after USM Alger refused to play the second leg of the CAF Confederation Cup semi-final against Morocco’s Nahda Berkane.
The refusal came as an objection from the Algerian team to the shirts worn by the home team, which carried the map of Morocco with Western Sahara disputed between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Frente POLISARIO.
After USM Alger players refused to enter the pitch, Nahdet Berkane players entered the stadium and saluted the fans who showed their support by raising the map of Morocco and the Kingdom’s emblem.
The scenario of the first leg was repeated last week, when the Moroccan team objected to the actions of the Algerian authorities, who seized their belongings, including the controversial shirts.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) had made a decision to decide the result of the first leg after the match was cancelled in favor of Nahda Berkane 3-0 and referred the case to the disciplinary committee to consider imposing additional sanctions.
In reaction to the decision, the president of the Algerian Football Federation filed a complaint with the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland, objecting to allowing Nahda Berkane to wear a shirt with a political logo.
The Algerian federation has hired the services of international lawyers to defend its position in this case.
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