CAF has officially handed down its verdict on the controversial CAF Confederation Cup tie that was abandoned last week, while a new appeal has already been lodged.
USM Alger and RS Berkane were set to play a two-legged CAF Confederation semi-final on 21 and 28 April, with the first leg scheduled to take place in Algeria.
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However, the match was cancelled after the visiting Moroccan side's kit was confiscated by Algerian authorities because it had a map of Morocco on it featuring the disputed Western Sahara territory, which has between a source of conflict between the two north African nations and ultimately saw them sever diplomatic ties in 2021.
With the second leg having also been abandoned as USM Alger refused to play against Berkane with the same kit, the matter was brought to CAF's attention and, on Thursday, African football's organising body confirmed that the Algerian team has been sanctioned to forfeit both legs by a 3-0, with Berkane securing a spot in the final next month, adding that additional punishment may be on the way.
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"The CAF Interclub Competitions and Management of the Club Licensing System Committee met to deliberate on the incident during the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup 2023/24 second leg semi-final fixture between RS Berkane and USM Alger that was scheduled on 28 April 2024," a statement by CAF reads.
"The CAF Interclub Competitions Committee and Management of the Club Licensing System decided:
"1. Sanction USM Alger with a forfeit of 0-3.
"2. Submit the case to the Disciplinary Board for possible additional sanctions.
"3. The qualification of RS Berkane to the Final of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup 2023/24."
The Algerian Football Federation (FAF) and USM have since jointly filed an appeal against CAF to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), arguing that the map on the Berkane jersey constitutes a political statement and is against the laws of CAF and FIFA.
"The arbitral panel that will decide the matter is being appointed,” CAS said in response to the appeal, according to Inside World Football.
"Once constituted, the arbitral panel will issue instructions for the next phase of the proceedings, including the holding of a hearing.
"At this juncture, it is not possible to give any further details on the timetable for this procedure."
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As things stand, Berkane will face Zamalek in a two-legged final on 12 and 19 May.
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