Renaissance Berkane has been awarded a 3-0 win over USM Alger in the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup semi-final, though they refused to show up on the field for the match.
When the Moroccan club arrived in Algiers on Friday, Algerian customs officials confiscated their kits that had an extended map of Morocco with the disputed territory of Western Sahara. According to the Algerian officials, the map is a political provocation.
RS Berkane then refused to play the match and stayed in their rooms resulting in the match cancellation though the Algerian side USM Alger took to the field.
CAF football’s interclub competitions committee awarded a 3-0 victory to RS Berkane and then referred the case to the disciplinary commission for onward charges.
RS Berkane has used the same kit throughout the competition along side other similar designs in even previous seasons.
The second leg of the semi-final is scheduled to take place in Berkane on Sunday. Meanwhile, Egyptian side, Zamalek will travel to Kumasi to face Dreams FC in the other semi-final match. The two sides played out a goalless draw last Sunday in Cairo.