Moroccan side Renaissance Birkin were beaten 3-0 by USML Algeria in the first leg of their Kiev Confederations Cup semi-final, despite refusing to play after the kit was confiscated by Algerian customs officials.
The shirt Burkane plans to wear features an enlarged map of Morocco that includes the disputed region of Western Sahara.
Algeria sees the map as political provocation and authorities seized the kit when Birkin arrived in the country last Friday.
In Sunday’s canceled first leg, hosts USML Alger took to the field before kick-off but the visitors remained in their dressing room. The match was cancelled.
Birkin have used the same jersey in this season’s competition – as well as a similar design in previous continental campaigns.
The Confederation of African Football’s Interclub Competitions Committee decided to award Birkin the victory and referred the case to the Disciplinary Commission for possible additional sanctions.
When asked for clarification on the decision, a spokesman for Keef told BBC Sport Africa that the matter had been dealt with by the governing body’s “authorised structures that are independent of management”.
“Kaif has no position here, both at the administrative and leadership levels,” the official added.
The second leg of the semi-finals is scheduled to take place on Sunday in Berkane.
USM Alger are the holders of the Confederations Cup, while Berkane lifted the trophy in 2020 and 2022.
Credit : www.bbc.com
