EDITOR NOTE: This article is translated from the original written in French by Omar Chraibi for Pan-Africa Football.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially responded to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) rulings regarding the jerseys worn by Moroccan club RS Berkane during last season's CAF Confederation Cup.
The Moroccan club won by forfeit in the semifinals after Algerian club USM Alger decided to not take the pitch in protest against the jerseys which displayed a map of Morocco that included the territory of Western Sahara, a sensitive political issue between the North African neighbors.
In a statement, CAF confirmed that the jerseys violated sporting regulations due to the presence of political content. The body insisted on the immediate implementation of the CAS verdict, stating: "The decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport is binding and enforceable on CAF, as well as on all its member associations and affiliated clubs."
It added: "To ensure the effective application of the principle of political neutrality, as established by CAS, we inform you that, as of the notification of this circular, any equipment displaying a message, card, emblem, or any representation of a political nature will not be permitted in CAF competitions."
In its ruling last February, the CAS rejected USM Alger's requests to replay its match against Berkane. It also confirmed that "matches played by RS Berkane wearing the jersey bearing the Moroccan map will not be canceled and that Morocco's position is legitimate."
The court clarified that no sanctions would be imposed on either RS Berkane or the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF). However, it reminded CAF that it should not have authorized a jersey with political overtones, a point on which it had already been warned in the past.
African football's governing body is expected to meet in the coming days to decide on the implementation of the CAS decisions and the measures to be adopted going forward.
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