The disputed semi-final first leg of the Confederation Cup between USM Alger and RS Berkane, the Algerian Football Federation (FAF) has taken a decisive stance following its meeting on Tuesday.
The federal office of the FAF, under the leadership of Walid Sadi, convened for an ordinary session to address the controversy surrounding the canceled match, which was initially slated to take place on April 21, 2024, in Algiers due to a swimsuit controversy.
In a press release issued after the meeting, the FAF expressed deep regret over the circumstances leading to the non-progress of the match.
The statement emphasized the federation’s commitment to upholding the values of sportsmanship and fair play in football.
“The federal office took note with great regret of the situation relating to the non-progress of the USM Algiers vs RS Berkane meeting and would have liked the values of sport to be respected,” the FAF stated.
Furthermore, the FAF reiterated its unwavering support for USM Algiers and pledged to assist the club in asserting its rights before international authorities.
The federation underscored the importance of solidarity within the football community and condemned any actions that may undermine the spirit of unity and camaraderie in the sport.
“The federal office provides its full support to USM Algiers and will support it with all the necessary effort to assert its rights before international authorities,” the FAF affirmed.
“The spirit of solidarity displayed by football players around USM Algiers demonstrates that sport, football in particular, unites and does not divide.”
The FAF’s statement also implicitly addressed RS Berkane, cautioning against actions that could potentially sow division within the football community.
The federation’s decisive stance underscores its commitment to upholding the integrity and principles of football, while seeking to resolve the ongoing dispute in a fair and transparent manner.
USM Alger-Berkane : la FAF poursuivie pour contrefaçon de maillots ? https://t.co/ZrEn5Qxbs2 pic.twitter.com/aELhD6ipz5
— Afrik-Foot (@afrikfoot) April 22, 2024
